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POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 



AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED 
- TO MY ' 

little" friends, 


BEATRICE AND JOHN 




CONTENTS 


CHAPTER 

I. 

Polly Begins Her Journey 

• 

• 

PAGB 

19 

II. 

Polly Meets Some Old Friends 

• 

• 

33 

III. 

Polly Meets with Some Adventures 

• 

• 

51 

IV. 

The Travelers Make a New Acquaintance 

• 

63 

V. 

Getting Out of the Arabian Nights 

• 

• 

77 

VI. 

They are Helped Along by the Pixies 

• 

• 

93 

VII. 

Polly Finds a Friend in Need 

• 

• 

105 

VIII. 

In the Beanstalk Country. 

• 

• 

121 

IX. 

Giant Good 



137 

X. 

Boy Blue is Found and Lost Again 

• 

• 

155 

XI. 

The Pixie Carnival .... 

• 

• 

167 

XII. 

Polly and Bo-peep Visit the Moon , 

• 

• 

181 

XIII. 

They Go to the Fair 

• 

• 

197 

XIV. 

They Alight in Gooseland 

• 

• 

219 

XV. 

Polly and Bo-peep are Lost 

• 

• 

229 

XVI. 

Margery Daw 

• 

• 

247 

XVII. 

The Prince’s Ball .... 

• 

• 

259 



I 

f 

J 



•0 '■ ' 

» % 


% 










LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 


“ Boy Blue made haste to buy all the buns ” Frontispiece. 
“Something yellow and sparkling flew out” . 

“ Bo-peep growing smaller and smaller in the distance “ . 
“ Looking very forlorn and . . . cross” . . . . 

“ Seating one in the palm of each hand ” 

“Hundreds of them . . . cutting up all sorts of queer 

capers” 

“Polly and Bo-peep ran away with their fingers in their 
ears” ......... 

“And, of course, the prince led her out onto the floor” . 

(xi) 


PAGE 


65 


97 


111 


139 


169 


209 


267 




^ % 





\ > 


'*v . 

^.'1 




PRINCIPAL CHARACTERS IN THE 
STORY 


Polly Perkins, seven year old. 

Little Bo-peep, a shepherdess. 

Little Boy Blue, a sleepy-head. 

Old Mother Goose, Queen of Gooseland. 

The Yellow Dwarf, mischievous, but entertaining. 
Giant Good, of Castle Charming. 

The Moon-Man, very pleasant to meet. 

The Butcher, 



The Baker, 


The Candlestick-maker, J 

The Old Woman who Lived in a Shoe, “ I spank ’em when 
they ’re naughty.” 

The Fairy Godmother, the “dearest and quaintest little 


dame.” 


Time and Place of the Story — This year. The Land of 
Magic, The Beanstalk Country, Gooseland, The Enchanted 
Forest, The Moon, The Arabian Nights, and other Points on the 
“ Slumberland Valley B. B.” 


(xiii) 






DandelionSy curling-irons y 
SpoonSy and knives and forks; 
Peanut briitley Chicken LittlCy 
Humming-birds and storks. 

‘‘ Cannon-ballsy heavy squalls. 
Harps and violins ; 

Pouring rainSy hurricanes, 

Reels and rolling-pins^ 


That ’s what breaks the spell.’ 




POLLY BEGINS HER JOURNEY 



( • • 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


CHAPTER I 

POLLY BEGINS HER JOURNEY 

me!’’ said Polly, fretfully, 

I W can’t get to sleep, and mamma said if 
I was n’t rested I could n’t go to the 
bazaar this afternoon,” and the little girl began 
to cry. 

“There, there ! don’t be a baby,” said Frances, 
with the superior air of an elder sister — she was 
almost ten, while Polly was only seven — “ I ’ll 
tell you how to go right off to sleep, quicker ’n 
a wink.” 

“ Oh, do ! ” cried Polly. 

“ Will you promise to do just as I tell you? ” 

“ Yes, I will,” promised Polly. 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


“ ’Cause it would n’t do a bit of good for me 
to tell you, unless you ’d mind.” 

“ Now, Frances Perkins, you know I always 
keep my word,” said Polly, pouting just a 
little. 

“ Well, you must shut your eyes, first, and 
then keep as quiet ’s a mouse.” 

I ’ve got ’em shut,” said Polly, screwing her 
eyes up very tight. 

“ Then you must make believe you are stand- 
ing in front of a big field with a fence all around 
it.” 

“ Dear me, suz ! ” exclaimed Polly. I ’m 
Traid I can’t do anything so hard as that.” 

“ Yes, you can,” replied Frances ; I ’ve done 
it many and many a time.” 

“ All right, I ’ll try,” said Polly, rather doubt- 
fully. 

‘‘ Then you must make believe you see a big 
flock of sheep in the field,” continued Frances. 

“ Oh, my ! ” cried Polly ; “ what an awful 
make-believe ! ” 


20 


POLLY BEGINS HER JOURNEY 


You must n’t talk so much ! ” said Frances, 
reprovingly. “ You must just try to see.” 

‘‘ I ’ll try to,” answered Polly, meekly. 

And when those sheep see you,” Frances 
went on, ‘‘they must come a-running, one after 
the other, and jump over the fence — and — 
then — ” 

“ I begin to see ’em,” said Polly, sleepily. 

’T was very strange that she did, for she did n’t 
expect to. But there they were, as large as life. 
She had just decided that they were real sheep, 
and not make-believes, when they came trotting 
along and jumped over the fence, as Frances 
had said they must. 

They did this in a very orderly manner at 
first, but after awhile an old mother sheep came 
tumbling head over heels ; then another followed 
her example, and finally they all were frisking 
around like a parcel of children. 

“ Why, Frances ! ” exclaimed Polly, “ what 
funny sheep! They are different from any I 
ever saw before.” 

Z— Polly Perkins. 21 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


But Frances made no reply, and, when Polly 
reached out for her sister, she could n’t find her. 
Before she had time to think how queer that 
was, the same old mother sheep came up to her, 
saying : 

‘‘ What was that remark you made just now, 
little girl ? ” 

Polly was astonished almost out of her wits at 
this question, and was half afraid to say any- 
thing for a moment. But finally she got courage 
enough to repeat what she had said to Frances. 

Then the old mother sheep threw back her head 
and laughed hoarsely — not a horse-laugh, you 
know, but a sheep-laugh, quite a diflPerent 
thing. 

‘‘ Maybe you ’d like to know what makes us 
so clever ? ” said the sheep, when she had recov- 
ered from her fit of laughter. . 

‘‘ Yes, indeed, I would,” replied Polly, more 
and more surprised. 

‘‘ It ’s a secret, you know,” said the sheep, 
mysteriously. 


22 


POLLY BEGINS HER JOURNEY 


I ^11 never tell/’ promised Polly. 

Well, then, it ’s because we never eat any- 
thing but four-leaved clovers.” 

« My ! ” cried Polly ; this must be a great 
country for four-leaved clovers.” 

‘‘ Pretty fair,” said the sheep, whisking her 
tail contentedly. “ I don’t believe you ever 
traveled very much, did you ? ” 

‘‘Not so very much,” returned Polly ; “but I 
always wanted to. I wonder if I ’m traveling 
now ? ” 

“ I would n’t be at all surprised,” said the 
sheep. “ Do you happen to know what country 
you came from ? ” 

“ Boston,” replied Polly, proudly. 

“ Whew ! ” exclaimed the mother sheep ; “ then 
you ’re a long way from home. But Boston 
is n’t a country, child, it ’s only a little bit of a 
town. ” 

“ It is n’t a town at all,” said Polly, indigo 
nantly. “ It ’s a great big city.” 

“ Looks small enough on the map, anyway,” 
23 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


returned the mother sheep, tossing her head. 
‘‘And you ought to know that Boston is in 
America. I thought little girls studied geogra- 

piiy” 

“ So they do,’^ answered Polly, “ only I have n’t 
got as far as that yet. But I wish you ’d tell 
me where I am now.” 

“ Some folks call this place Gooseland,” said 
the mother sheep. 

“ My ! ” cried Polly, “ how did I ever get here? 
You said I was a long way from home.” 

“ You must have come by the Slumberland 
Valley Bailroad, I rather think,” replied the 
sheep. “ That line runs to every country in 
the world. But how do you like Gooseland ? ” 

Polly looked around with her eyes very wide 
open. She saw lovely green fields, trim hedges, 
beautiful old trees, and gay flowers. 

“ I think it is just lovely,” she replied. “ But 
what makes ’em call it Gooseland ? That ’s a 
dreadfully funny name.” 

“ Just because Old Mother Goose is the queen 

24 


POLLY BEGINS HER JOURNEY 


of the country,” replied the sheep, snappishly. 
‘‘ I have n’t any use for kings and queens. I ’m 
a republican.” 

‘‘Are you ? ” said Polly, looking at the animal 
curiously. “ I did n’t know that sheep had votes. 
I s’pose I ’m a democrat. Papa is.” 

“ It ’s all the same,” returned the mother sheep. 
“ Does n’t make a bit of difference.” 

“ Are there many people living here ? ” en- 
quired Polly, for she had n ’t seen a single person 
so far. 

“ Well, I should think so,” bleated the mother 
sheep, impatiently. “But suppose you come 
with me. I ’ve got to go and look for Little 
Bo-peep. She ’ll be crying her eyes out if she 
does n’t find us soon.” And the sheep looked 
around to see whether the rest of the flock were 
following. 

Polly clapped her hands delightedly. “ Oh, 
oh ! ” she cried, “ shall I really see Little Bo- 
peep ? ” 

“ Why, yes, of course,” said the sheep. “And 
25 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


Little Boy Blue, too, if he’s awake. He’s a 
dreadful sleepy-head.” 

‘‘ Oh, my, my ! ” exclaimed Polly, so excited 
she scarcely knew what she was about. 

‘‘ I think I shall have to call out,” said the 
sheep, ‘‘ so as to let Bo-peep know where we all 
are.” 

So she bleated : Ba-a, ba-a ! ” as loud as she 
could several times. 

Then another sheep — an old father sheep — 
cried out: ‘‘Ba-a, ba-a!” in a deep, gruff voice 
that sounded as though it came out of a hole in 
the ground. 

He had hardly finished crying out before the 
rest of the fiock commenced to ba-a in about 
fourteen different kinds of voices, making such a 
racket that Polly could n’t have heard herself 
speak if she had tried. 

It was n’t very long before they caught sight 
of Bo-peep coming toward them, with her apron 
held up to her eyes and crying as though her 
heart would break. 


26 


POLLY BEGINS HER JOURNEY 


‘‘You foolish child,” said the sheep to Bo- 
peep, reprovingly. “ Have you forgotten your 
verses? ‘Let ’m alone and they ’ll come home, 
wagging their tails behind them.’ ” 

Bo-peep brushed away her tears and ran to 
meet them. 

“ This is Miss Pauline Perkins,” said the 
slieep, looking at the little visitor. “But I be- 
lieve she is generally called Polly.” 

The little girl wondered how the sheep hap- 
pened to know all this. 

“ Delighted to meet you. Miss Perkins,” said 
Bo-peep. “Would you mind my calling you 
Polly?” 

“No, indeed,” said Polly, “ and I ’m real glad 
to see you.” 

“ Perhaps you would like to take a walk with 
me, now that those tiresome sheep are going to 
behave themselves.” 

“ I ’d just love to,” said Polly. “ But are the 
sheep so very tiresome ? ” 

“Of course,” replied Bo-peep, impatiently. 

27 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


“ Don^t they keep losing themselves all the time? 
And if that is n’t tiresome, I ’d like to know 
what is ? ” 

Polly was afraid the sheep might feel hurt at 
these remarks, but they did n’t seem to mind it 
in the least. Just then she espied a snow-white 
lamb walking along beside a young girl. 

Of course, you know all about Mary and 
her little lamb?” remarked Bo-peep. 

“‘The snow-white mountain lamb, with a 
maiden by its side ? ’ ” said Polly. “ I guess 
I do. I wonder if he has been to school to- 
day?” 

“Not if he knows himself,” answered the 
lamb, pertly. Then he knocked the bowl of 
milk out of his little mistress’ hand, and, kick- 
ing up his heels, frisked away, leaving Mary to 
follow after him. 

Polly laughed. “I did n’t suppose he ever 
acted like that,” she said. “And I thought he 
always followed Mary, instead of her having to 
run after him.” 


28 


POLLY BEGINS HER JOURNEY 

‘‘Well, he would n’t act like that if he be- 
longed to my flock,” replied Bo-peep. “ But 
Mary and her lamb don’t belong to Gooselaiid, 
anyway, so we won’t bother about them.” 

“ I s’pose this is a very int’restin’ country,” 
remarked Polly. She thought it polite to use a 
big word when she could. 

“ Oh, my, yes ! ” said Bo-peep. “ Suppose we 
go and look up Little Boy Blue. Most likely 
we ’ll And him asleep, though.” 

“ Is it honestly true ’bout his being under the 
haycock fast asleep ?” asked Polly. 

“To be sure, it is,” replied Bo-peep. “ You 
never saw such a sleepy-head in all your born 
days.” 

“ Oh ! it seems like a dream,” said Polly. “I 
hope I sha’n’t wake up.” 

“ The idea ! ” laughed Bo-peep. “ Why, 
you ’re as wide-awake as I am.” 

“ Do you really think so ? ” said Polly, 
anxiously. 


29 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


‘‘Of course, I do,’’ answered Bo-peep. “Do 
you see that haystack ? ” 

“ Yes, I see that all right.” 

“ Well, if I ’m not mistaken, we ’ll see Boy 
Blue on the other side of it.” 

Sure enough, there lay the little fellow, in his 
suit of blue, his horn by his side. He was fast 
asleep, too — actually snoring ! 

30 


POLLY MEETS SOME OLD 

FRIENDS 



CHAPTER II 

POLLY MEETS SOME OLD FRIENDS 

XS WT he sweet? ’’ cried Polly. 

^ I Perhaps the sound of her voice dis- 
turbed the sleepy-head’s slumbers. At 
any rate, Boy Blue sat up and rubbed his eyes, 
though without appearing to see anything. 

“ You ’d better wake up,” said Bo-peep, se- 
verely. ‘ The sheep ’s in the meadow, and the 
cow ’s in the corn.’ ” 

S’poselought to go after them, then,” replied 
Boy Blue, gaping prodigiously, “but I don’t 
believe I can keep awake long enough.” 

“You need n’t be in such a hurry, after all,” 
said Bo-peep, tossing her head. “ I want you to 
help me entertain my friend. Miss Polly Perkins.” 

Boy Blue stopped right in the middle of a 
33 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


gape, and, opening his eyes very wide (they 
were blue, too), looked hard at the visitor, whom 
he had n’t noticed before. Then he got up and 
made a low bow. “ I am very glad to meet you, 
Miss Polly,’’ he said, politely. 

Polly curtsied, and said something about 
being glad, too, while Bo-peep looked on as 
though she was the least bit surprised. 

“Pleasure before business,” continued Boy 
Blue, swallowing a gape or two. “ I daresay a 
little more corn won’t hurt the cow, so I ’ll just 
take a stroll with you young ladies.” 

“ Glad you ’ve got waked up for once,” re- 
marked Bo-peep. 

“ Did you ever happen to hear those verses 1 
made about the cow and the sheep ? ” asked 
Boy Blue, as the three little folks walked off 
together. 

Polly said she never had heard them, but she 
would like to. 

Bo-peep sniffed, and said she didn’t believe 
they were good for much. 

34 


POLLY MEETS SOME OLD FRIENDS 


“ Well, I don’t think much of ’em, myself,” 
returned Boy Blue; but perhaps they ’ll amuse 
you. 

“ The sheep danced a jig, 

While the cow blew the horn, 

And they cried : ‘ Little master. 

The fodder ’s all gone.’ 

“ Then their kind little master 
Awoke from his dream. 

And fed the droll creatures 
On cake and ice cream.” 


‘‘I should suppose that would amuse ’most 
anybody,” remarked Bo-peep. 

Polly was n’t sure whether the little shep- 
herdess meant to be complimentary or not, but 
she said she thought the rhyme was very nice, 
only she wondered if the cow and sheep would 
really eat cake and ice cream. 

‘‘Of course not,” replied Blue Boy; “but 
folks who write verses have to say things they 
don’t mean sometimes to make the rhymes come 
right.” 

Polly thought that seemed very likely. Then 
35 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


all at once she happened to remember that she 
was hungry. Do you think we could get 
something to eat anywhere ? ” she asked, timidly. 
‘‘ I have n’t had my luncheon, yet.” 

‘‘We ought to have thought of that before,” 
said Bo-peep, looking quite troubled. 

“ It ’s a shame for us to let you go hungry,” 
added Boy Blue. “We ’ll see if we can get a 
bite at J ack Spratt’s cottage.” 

Polly thought, when she saw Mrs. Spratt, that 
she certainly ought to have plenty of good things 
in the house to eat, she was such a rosy, plump, 
jolly little body. But, when the visitors had 
made known their errand, the little woman 
looked quite concerned. 

“I ’m dreadfully sorry,” explained she, “ but 
on account of Mr. Spratt’s eating no fat, and my 
eating no lean, there ’s never a scrap left. I de- 
clare I don’t know how to account for it. But 
maybe Jack Horner will let you have a piece of 
his pie,” and she pointed to a corner of the room 
36 


POLLY MEETS SOME OLD FRIENDS 


where a very small boy was wrestling with a 
very big piece of pie. 

Little Jack stopped eating for a moment and 
shook his head. ‘‘ I Ve pulled out a plum so 
many times,” lie said, “ that there is n^t one left. 
‘‘ I don’t believe you care for pie without 
plums. Do you, now ? ” looking anxiously at 
Polly. 

The little girl replied, “ No,” as she thought 
that was the answer expected. 

Jack looked relieved. “ I would n’t wonder 
if Miss Muffet would give you some curds and 
whey,” he went on. “You ’ll find her in the 
next room.” 

But no sooner had the visitors opened the 
door than they heard a piercing scream, and 
saw Miss Mufiet running from the house at a 
lively pace. 

“ My ! is she so much afraid of us ? ” asked 
Polly. 

“ Dear, no ! ” replied Bo-peep, laughing. 
“ She ’s running away because there came a 

3- Polly Perkins. - 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


black spider and sat down beside her. She says 
she s nervous. I say she ’s downright silly.” 

“I don^t believe I care for curds and whey, 
anyway,” declared Polly, who felt rather nervous 
herself at the thought of black spiders. 

Now, let ^s see. There 's Mother Hubbard 
— we might go and ask her,” said Boy Blue, 
after he had wrinkled his forehead for a full 
minute. 

‘‘ But her cupboard is bare, is n’t it ? ” ex- 
claimed Bo-peep. ‘‘ I ’m sure that ’s what I 
read.” 

“ You can ’t believe all you read,” said Bo- 
peep. “And just because her cupboard was 
bare once, that ’s no sign that it always is.” 

“ Everything is so queer,” replied Polly, be- 
ginning to feel tired as well as hungry. 

“ You look pretty well tuckered out, Miss 
Polly,” said Boy Blue. “Had n’t you better 
take my arm ?” 

Polly thought perhaps she might as well. 

“Well, I never!” ejaculated Bo-peep, as the 
38 


POLLY MEETS SOME OLD FRIENDS 


little couple walked off, arm-in-arm, and she was 
left to follow by herself. 

Polly found this wandering about in this queer 
country very delightful. She was all the time 
seeing things that seemed very strange to her. 
And now coming toward them was a funny, 
roly-poly little man, carrying a flat basket on his 
head. Before Polly had time to ask who he was 
the roly-poly began to sing : 

** Hot cross buns ! hot cross buns 1 
One for a penny, six for a nickel. 

Hot cross buns ! ” 

« Why-ee ! That ’s different — ” Polly began. 
Then she stopped as she noticed Bo-peep look- 
ing at her rather severely. She was afraid her 
new friend might think her tiresome, she was 
so often being surprised. 

Boy Blue made haste to buy all the buns the 
roly-poly baker had left, then he and the girls 
sat down under the shade of a tree to rest and 
enjoy the feast. 

And, oh! how good those buns did taste! 

39 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


They were big and light and sweet, and gener- 
ously sprinkled with currants. ‘‘ Wonder why 
they call ’em cross,” remarked Polly. Seems 
to me they ’re very pleasant.” 

‘‘ If you ’re not the funniest girl I ” laughed 
Bo-peep. ‘‘ It ’s because that ’s the name of ’em.” 

‘‘ Oh ! ” said Polly, in some confusion. ‘‘ I 
always wanted to know.” 

But when she came to think it over afterwards, 
she could n’t see that she knew any better than 
she did before. She concluded that she must be 
very stupid. 

While the little folks were still eating their 
luncheon, Polly espied a very remarkable pro- 
cession coming up the road. First, there was an 
immense black cat, a handsome rascal, prancing 
along on his hindlegs. After him gambolled 
three little kittens, part of the time on two legs, 
part of the time on all fours. 

“Puss in Boots,” said Boy Blue, turning 
his head to see what had attracted Polly’s atten- 
tion. 


40 


POLLY MEETS SOME OLD FRIENDS 


I did n’t know lie lived in Gooseland ? ” 
said Polly, inquiringly. 

“ He comes to visit the Three Blind Mice,” 
explained Bo-peep. 

And those dear little kittens ? ” continued 
Polly. 

“ Oh ! those are the three little kittens who 
lost their mittens,” answered Bo-peep. 

‘‘ How do you do, Thomas * ” said Boy Blue, 
as the big cat drew near. 

Most starved, thank you,” replied Thomas, 
helping himself to a bun. 

“And so you lost your mittens ?” said Polly, 
speaking to the kittens, who had seated them- 
selves in a row before her as though they wanted 
to be noticed. 

Upon this the little creatures stood erect, 
and, holding out their front paws, began to mew 
piteously. 

“ Poor little things ! ” said Polly. “ I hope 
you ’ll find ’em all right.” 

But the kitten refused to be comforted in this 


41 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


way, and it was not till Polly liad crumbled up 
part of a bun for them that they stopped cry- 
ing. Then they wiped their eyes with their 
paws, and, purring their thanks, scrambled 
eagerly for the food. 

“ I ’d like to know,” said Polly, after the new 
arrivals had polished off their refreshments, “ if 
it ^s really true that cats have nine lives ? ” 

Yes, indeed,’’ replied Thomas, washing his 
face. “ Do you suppose I would ever have 
lived to be as old as I am now if I ’d had but 
one?” 

‘‘ Well, of course, I don’t know exactly how 
old you are,” returned Polly. 

“ Ahem ! ” remarked Thomas (at least, he 
said something that sounded like that), ‘‘per- 
haps you did n’t know that cats never tell their 
ages ? ” 

“ No, I did n’t,” answered Polly, considerably 
surprised. Though it occurred to her afterwards 
that she had never heard of a cat’s telling its 
age, or anything else. 


42 


POLLY MEETS SOME OLD FRIENDS 


don’t mind telling you, though, that I Ve 
cut my wisdom teeth,” said Thomas, when he 
had finished his toilet. “ So, you see, I ’m no 
chicken.” 

‘‘ You Te the funniest cat I ever knew,” said 
Polly, laughing. 

“ I try to be cheerful,” he purred, “ though 
I Ve had enough trouble to turn my hair 
white.” 

I always did feel sorry for cats,” said Polly, 
sympathetically. 

‘‘And you have reason to,” he returned with a 
sigh. “ What, with dogs chasing us, boys throw- 
ing stones, and grown-ups wanting to drown 
us, it ’s as much as a cat can do to live out his 
days. Now, if you have time to listen to a 
tale of a cat — ” 

But pussy’s tale was cut short here, for at 
that moment there was a terrible barking and 
spitting and flying of fur, and, with a frightful 
yell, he darted away, the three kittens scamper- 
ing after. 


43 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


Then the picnickers saw that the cause of all 
this commotion was a pert, little yellow dog, who 
was unconcernedly sniffing at the crumbs upon 
the ground. 

‘‘ You wicked wretch ! cried Polly. 

“ I ’m little Tommy Tinker’s dog,” he barked. 
“ Bow-wow-wow ! ” 

“ Well, you ’re a horrid dog, anyway,” de- 
clared Polly. 

‘‘I don’t see why,” snapped the dog, jumping 
at a half-eaten bun she held in her hand. 

‘‘Frightening those poor cats nearly to death !” 
exclaimed the little girl, indignantly. 

“Served ’em right,” growled he. “Cats need 
to be taught to keep their place. I ’m a fine 
dog — I am.” 

Then the little scamp trotted away, looking 
like the most amiable dog in the world. 

“Now, don’t worry,” said Boy Blue, noticing 
that Polly had a very serious face. "“Tom knows 
how to look out for number one. I don’t believe 


44 


POLLY MEETS SOME OLD FRIENDS 


lie has used up half his lives yet. As for the 
kittens, they are quick as lightning.’^ 

‘‘ I don’t see how dogs can be so cruel,’’ an- 
swered Polly, still troubled. 

‘‘ Well, you know, dogs delight to bark and 
bite,” replied Boy Blue. ‘‘ That is, some of ’em 
do.” 

“ My Towser would n’t behave like that,” 
said Polly. “He lets our cat ride on his 
back.” 

“ He ’s a very gentlemanly dog,” returned 
Boy Blue with a smile. “ But what do you say 
to our going on, now ? ” 

“ I suppose we might as well,” replied Polly, 
brushing the crumbs from her lap. “ Only I ’m 
dreadfully thirsty.” 

“ So am I,” said Bo-peep. 

“ Wait a little,” said Boy Blue, “ and we ’ll 
get Jack and Jill to give us a drink — we must 
be near their hill.” 

“ Why ! ” cried Polly, “ I thought they always 
fell down and spilled all the water.” 

45 


POLLY PERKINS^ ADVENTURES 


If you look aliead, you ’ll see that you were 
mistaken,” responded Boy Blue. 

And as Polly looked she saw two little figures 
coming slowly down a steep hill near by, carry- 
ing carefully between them a brimming pailful 
of water, and in a few minutes she was enjoy- 
ing a drink from a bright tincup that Jack very 
politely held for her. 

Polly thanked the little fellow, and would 
have liked to stop for a chat with the ruddy- 
faced boy and his pretty sister, but her com- 
panions hurried her away. 

‘‘I did so want to ask about his broken 
crown,” said she, regretfully. 

“ Lucky that you did n’t,” said Boy Blue. 
“ They are such mischievous children, they are 
just as likely as not to throw water on you.” 

Even as he was speaking, a few drops of 
water came spattering in Polly’s face. 

‘‘Just a wee sprinkle, to make her eyes 
twinkle,” sang Jill, saucily. 

Then Jack called out : 

46 


POLLY MEETS SOME OLD FRIENDS 


Dear little maid, don’t be afraid 
Of Jack and Jill unruly; 

Some other day, please come this way, 

For we are both yours truly.” 

Polly laughed and waved her hand. ‘^Are n’t 
they cute ? ” said she. 

‘‘ I guess you ’d say cute if you had seen the 
ducking they gave poor Simple Simon the other 
day. And they ’re always playing pranks on 
strangers. It ’s a wonder you got off so easy.” 

Polly looked puzzled. “ It ’s different from 
the books in some ways,” she said. I can’t 
quite understand it.” 

“ H’m ! you must be a book-worm,” remarked 
Bo-peep. 

‘‘ I ’m not a worm at all,” declared Polly, 
resentfully. 

‘‘A book-worm is someone who knows a lot 
about books,” explained Boy Blue. 

“ Oh ! is it ? ” returned Polly. “ Then I don’t 
mind, only I guess I don’t know enough to be 
that kind of a worm.” 


47 


POLLY PERKINS* ADVENTURES 


The little folks walked on pleasantly enough 
after this, meeting a great many more people 
whom Polly had often heard about, but there 
was nothing really worth talking about hap- 
pened till the travellers came in sight of some- 
‘ thing that looked like a tall, slender tree, grow- 
ing right up into the sky. 

48 


POLLY MEETS WITH SOME 
ADVENTURES 


y4<yr 



CHAPTER III 

POLLY MEETS WITH SOME ADVENTURES 

^ M THAT a queer tree ! ” exclaimed Polly. 

\\ My dear Miss Polly, that ’s not a 
tree at all,’’ replied Boy Blue, look- 
ing wise and important. 

Seems as though a girl that came from any- 
where near Boston ought to know beans,” gig- 
gled Bo-peep. 

“ If we were not in Gooseland,” began Polly, 
doubtfully. 

But we ’re not,” interrupted Boy Blue. 
‘‘We ’ve just crossed the boundary-line into the 
Land of Magic.” 

“ Oh ! ” cried Polly, excitedly, “ it must be 
Jack’s beanstalk.” 


51 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


** You ’re a Yankee for guessing,” responded 
Boy Blue. 

“ And there are giants up there,” said Polly, 
half frightened. 

‘‘ Lots of ’em,” declared Boy Blue. ‘‘ Want 
to go up ? ” 

No, indeed,” answered Polly, drawing back. 
“ It always makes me dreadfully dizzy to climb.” 

“ You need n’t be afraid of any old giants, 
you know, when I ’m around,” said Boy Blue, 
looking very brave. 

Do let ’s go ! ” cried Bo-peep. ‘‘ It would 
be no end of fun.” 

“ It looks as though there was n’t any end/* 
replied Polly, peering upward. ‘‘ But I don’t 
believe there would be much fun.” 

Here goes ! ” shouted Boy Blue, climbing 
nimbly up the stalk. 

‘‘ Go on, Polly,” coaxed Bo-peep. I ’ll 
come right behind you, so s to catch you if you 
fall.” 

Polly hesitated. She hardly dared go up, yet 
52 


IN A QUEER COUNTRY 


slie did n’t want her new friends to think her 
lacking in courage, so she began to climb. 
Really, it was very easy, after all. Her feet 
seemed to be lifted from one branch to another 
without any effort on her part after she had once 
started to climb, so she soon found herself mount- 
ing toward the sky at a very rapid rate. Pretty 
soon she could n’t see anything more of Boy 
Blue. 

“ Guess we must be most to the Stepping-Off 
Place,” she called back to Bo-peep. 

Just then the vine began to tremble and sway 
furiously to and fro. 

‘‘ Hold on tight ! ” called Bo-peep. 

Polly tried to heed this warning, but, in spite 
of all she could do, she lost her hold, and went 
down instead of up. She did n’t fall, exactly, 
she appeared rather to float, and came down gently 
on her feet. But scarcely had she touched the 
ground when it seemed to crumble away beneath 
her, and she felt that she was moving downward 
again. 

4^PoUy Perkins. C ^ 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


Down, down, slie kept going, and the worst of 
it was that she could n’t see anything distinctly, 
so she did n’t know where she was going. When 
she came to a standstill once more, she was sur- 
rounded by inky darkness. 

Bo-peep, where are you ? ” she cried. 

Why, here, of course,” answered a faint 
voice. I feel dreadfully sort of upset, don’t 
you ? ” 

‘‘ Yes, I do,” answered Polly, ready to cry. 

I wish I ’d never come to these queer countries.” 

‘‘ Oh, you must n’t say that,” responded Bo- 
peep; ‘‘it might have been ever so much worse.” 

“ I s’pose it might,” acknowledged Polly, 
“ but where do you think we are ? ” 

“ I rather think we must have fallen into the 
Arabian Nights,” said Bo-peep, calmly. 

“ Fallen into the Arabian Niglits ! ” repeated 
Polly. “ I don’t see how we could.” 

“You can’t expect to see much when it is 
so dark here,” said Bo-peep. “ But there ’s a 
little speck of light overhead.” 

54 


IN A QUEER COUNTRY 


Polly strained her eyes, and saw what looked 
like a big star. 

‘‘ That ’s where we came through,^’ continued 
Bo-peep. “ Now, the next thing is where to get 
out, for of course we ’ll have to find another way.” 

The little shepherdess was so matter-of-fact in 
her manner that Polly began to think it could n’t 
be such a dreadful thing, after all, to sink com- 
pletely out of sight under ground. 

‘‘ It ’s of no use for us to stay here, doing 
nothing,’’ said Bo-peep. “We may as well see if 
we can’t get somewhere'' 

“ I wish Boy Blue were here,” said Polly, in 
a doleful voice. 

“Most likely he’s asleep by this time,” re- 
turned Bo-peep, scornfully; “ but I guess we can 
get along without him.” 

Polly hoped they could, though she felt a 
little doubtful. 

“ Here, give me your hand,” ordered Bo-peep. 

Polly obeyed without saying anything, but it 
made her feel ever so much better to have hold 


55 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


of her companion as they groped their way 
along in the dark. 

After a long time — so it seemed to the wan- 
derers — they came to a solid wall, that felt hard 
and smooth to their touch. 

“ Must be a door somewhere near,” said Bo- 
peep, confidently. 

Scarcely had she spoken before a section of 
the wall swung in, and the little maidens shot 
forward with such force that they ran several 
feet before they could stop. Then they both 
cried, “ Oh ! ” 

They were in a large apartment lighted by 
twinkling tapers that shone like stars from the 
ceiling overhead. It was a beautiful room, too ; 
the walls were almost entirely covered by rich 
draperies ; thick, velvety rugs were spread upon 
the hard wood floor ; wonderful tables, with tops 
inlaid with gold and silver and precious stones, 
were scattered here and there ; while cushioned 
couches and chairs seemed to invite the little 
travelers to rest. 


56 


IN A QUEER COUNTRY 


Polly had never in all her life seen anything 
like it before, and she did n’t believe that Bo- 
peep had. Is n’t it perfectly lovely ? ” she 
exclaimed. 

“It is rather nice,” admitted Bo-peep. “I 
wonder if there ’s anybody at home ? ” 

“Oh!” cried Polly, “I never thought of 
that; maybe they would n’t like our coming 
here.” 

“ Well, we did n’t like coming, either,” re- 
turned Bo-peep, throwing herself on one of the 
soft couches. “ But, as long as we ’re here, we 
may as well make ourselves at home.” 

Polly cuddled down beside her companion, 
and soon a delightful drowsiness came creeping 
over her. Somehow she did n’t seem to care 
how long they had to stay in this enchanting 
place. 

Perhaps the weary little travelers fell asleep ; 
they were not quite sure, but, at any rate, they 
were roused from their rest by the sound of 
voices. 


57 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


My ! what was that? ’’ whispered Polly, 
starting up, quite frightened. 

“ There are some people out there,’’ said Bo- 
peep, pointing in the direction of the outer 
chamber where they had first landed. ‘‘I think 
we ’d better hide.” 

The little girls stood looking around for a 
moment, but could see no good hiding-place. 

To the right, 

Out of sight.” 


Polly jumped at hearing these words spoken 
in a wee, muffled voice that seemed to come from 
somewhere overhead. 

Bo-peep did n’t appear in the least surprised, 
however, but just pulled Polly along as directed. 
In about half a minute they saw another open- 
ling in the wall, leading to a cave-like apartment, 
I dimly lighted and without furnishings of any 
kind. 

‘‘ Be quick ! ” said Bo-peep, hurrying Polly 
into this inner room. 


58 


IN A QUEER COUNTRY 


‘‘ I don’t see any place to hide here,” said 
Polly, disconsolately. 

A row of well-filled bags stood leaning against 
the bare stone walls and partly filled the centre 
of the room. 

“ I guess we ’re all right now,” replied Bo- 
peep. I ’in going to see if we can’t crawl into 
some of these bags.” 

Polly did n’t at all fancy the idea of being 
stowed away like a bushel of meal or potatoes, 
and she was just about to say so, when Bo-peep 
gave a cry of surprise or delight — or both — and 
held up something yellow and shining that she 
had drawn from one of the sacks. 

“Why, what is it?” asked Polly, wonderingly. 

“Only a solid gold bracelet,” replied Bo- 
peep. “And here ’s a lovely watch and chain,” 
holding up the other hand. 

“My!” exclaimed Polly, “how did they ever 
come there ? ” 

“ I don’t know for sure,” said Bo-peep, mys- 
teriously, “ but I can guess.” 

59 


POLLY PERKINS* ADVENTURES 


Polly was not a little astonished as they went 
from one sack to another and found them filled 
with all sorts of costly trinkets. There were 
gold and silver coins, too, by the handful. 

“ If this does n’t beat all ! ” she cried. ‘‘Who 
do you s’pose put ’em here ? ” 

For once Bo-peep looked excited. “Polly 
Perkins,” she said, solemnly, “as true ’s you live, 
I believe we ’re in the cave of the Forty 
Thieves ! ” 

6o 


THE TRAVELERS MAKE A NEW 
ACQUAINTANCE 



CHAPTER IV 


THE TRAVELERS MAKE A NEW ACQUAINTANCE 

OODNESS ! ’’ gasped Polly, ‘‘ don’t you 
I T think we ’d better be going ? ” 

‘‘ The trouble is we don’t know where 
to go,” replied Bo-peep. ‘‘ I ’m not sure that 
it would n’t be best for us to get into one of these 
sacks.” 

Better not. It ’s awfully stuffy in here ! ” 
called out a shrill little voice. And then the 
girls saw the top of one of the bags rise up, and 
something yellow and sparkling flew out, like a 
Jack-in-a-box, and shot up into the air. 

Polly watched this flying object — not daring 
to cry out — till it came down, and, lighting on 
a sack in front of her, said politely : ‘‘ Good- 
evening, ladies.” 


63 


POLLY PERKINS* ADVENTURES 


Then she saw a fantastic little figure, clothed 
in yellow from top to toe, and fairly loaded with 
jewelry. A gold bracelet, set with diamonds, 
was about his neck for a collar; a heavy 
chain was wound several times around his 
waist, supporting a bunch of glittering trink- 
ets that hung at one side; his tightly-fitting 
coat was fastened up the front with diamond 
studs, and diamond rings were worn on wrists 
and ankles. 

“ What do you think of yourself,^’ cried Bo- 
peep, “jumping up like that, and frightening 
respectable people ’most to death ? ” 

“I think I ’m a clown,” the little fellow said, 
“and, seeing that I can’t help myself, I hope 
you ’ll overlook it.” 

Then, throwing out his arms, he turned at 
least a dozen handsprings, one after the other, 
revolving so fast that he looked like a tiny cart- 
wheel rolling from sack to sack. 

He stopped at the end of the row, and, taking 
off his plumed hat, bowed nearly to his toes. 

64 



Polly Perkins — 2. 

“ SOMETHING YELLOW AND SPARKLING FLEW OUT.” 

65 


« 




A NEW ACQUAINTANCE 


What do you think of that ? ’’ he asked. 
‘‘ Did you overlook it ? ” 

Polly clapped her hands softly. ‘‘Are you 
really a clown ? ’’ she said. 

“ Sometimes I ’m called the Jack of Dia- 
monds/* he replied. “ But I don’t like that ; 
seems too much like the fellow on the cards.” 

“ What are you doing here ? ” demanded Bo- 
peep. 

“ You saw what I was doing, did n’t you ? ” 
responded the clown, twisting one leg around his 
neck. 

“ Oh ! ” said Polly, laughing, “ won’t you, 
please, tell us how you happen to be here?” 

“ That ’s more like it,” said he. “ Politeness 
is the best policy. I daresay you remember 
that proverb?” 

“I don’t think you say it quite right,” re- 
marked Polly, after thinking for a moment. 
“It ’s honesty that ’s the best policy.” 

“ Pretty much the same thing,” said the elf. 
“ Only I like my way of saying it best.” 

67 


POLLY PERKINS* ADVENTURES 


“ But you were going to tell us about your- 
self/’ said the little girl. 

Well/’ said the elf, “ you see, I ’ve got into 
the way of turning handsprings. This morning 
I was taking a few turns, just for exercise, and, 
some way or other, I got to rolling and could n’t 
stop. Then the next thing I knew, here I 
was.” 

‘‘ That ’s funny,” said Polly ; we came here 
by accident.” 

‘‘ I came by rolling,” said he. 

“Never mind,” laughed Polly; “go on with 
your story.” 

“ When I found out where I was, I thought 
I might as well look round a bit and see if I 
could find a few rings and things that would 
fit me. Handsprings are very wearing on jewelry, 
you know.” 

“ I should think so,” agreed Polly. 

“ To cut a long story short, I had hardly got 
fitted out before I heard some one coming. So 
I jumped into a bag that happened to have a 
68 


A NEW ACQUAINTANCE 


lot of sawdust in it. My! how it got into my 
nose. I came near sneezing my head off.’’ 

‘‘ Why I we did n’t hear you,” said Polly, 
surprised. 

‘‘ Oh, well, that is n’t strange. I don’t make 
as much noise as an elephant sneezing. Be- 
sides, you girls were busy overhauling those 
sacks. It did give you a little scare when I 
popped out, did n’t it?” 

“A little,” replied she. ‘‘ But that is n’t all, 
is it?” 

‘‘About all; only I was going to say that I 
was joking about that clown business. I ’m 
the Yellow Dwarf; at your service, ladies,” 
and the little fellow made another of his extra- 
ordinary bows. 

“ H’m! you ’re enough of a clown all the same,” 
declared Bo-peep. 

But Polly was delighted. “I might have 
guessed from your clothes I ” she cried. “And 
you really carried off the princess ? ” 

“ Not at all,” replied the dwarf. “ You ’re 

69 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


thinking of my great-great-great-grandfather. 
I believe he did a little kidnapping once on a 
time.’* 

‘‘And you never carried off any princess?” 
said she, disappointed. 

“ Not a princess,” he answered, smiling. “ If 
I was going to carry off anybody, I would take 
you or Bo-peep.” 

“ Oh ! but we could n’t go,” said Polly. 
“ We have too many other things to do.” 

“And we would n’t if we could,” said Bo-peep, 
tartly. 

“ Hark,” said the dwarf, “ I believe there ’s 
somebody coming.” 

The girls listened, and could hear doors open- 
ing and closing and the sound of footsteps. 
Surely one or more of the robbers must be 
near. 

“ Where shall we go ? ” sobbed Polly. 

“ See ! ” cried the dwarf. “ Here are two 
empty sacks, away in behind the others. Climb 
in, quick.” 


A NEW ACQUAINTANCE 


There was nothing else to be done, so the 
girls stowed themselves away in the bags, the 
dwarf drew the tops together, then jumped into 
his own hiding-place. 

This was scarcely done before the little folks 
heard several people moving around the room. 
Peeping through a hole in her sack, Polly saw 
three men. They all had dark faces with fierce 
mustaches and beards, and were dressed in loose- 
fitting garments of bright colors, quite different 
from any dress she had ever seen worn by men. 
Two of them were common- looking fellows, but 
the third was richly dressed and carried a sword. 
He had a commanding way with him that made 
Polly think that he was the captain of the band. 

The men were disputing over the treasures, 
and talked in loud, angry tones. Finally, the 
captain — as Polly thought him — began to count 
the sacks, touching each one with his hand or 
sword as he counted. Once in awhile he felt in 
a bag to see what it contained. Polly nearly 
stopped breathing she was so frightened. She 

Polly Perkins, m j 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


was glad enough when he had finished without 
finding her or her companions. 

But now the captain was angrier than ever, be- 
cause he had found eighty-two bags, when there 
should have been but eighty. He was almost 
ready to cut off the heads of the two other men 
on account of their carelessness. 

Such a silly thing to get mad about,” thought 
Polly ; ‘‘ just because he has more sacks than he 
thought he had.” 

The men declared they were sure there were 
only eighty, the night before, when they looked 
them over, and they could n’t account for the 
two extra ones. (Polly could, though.) 

After raging awhile longer, the captain said he 
would have them all carried into another room 
and opened. The men grumbled considerably 
at that, saying it would make a lot of work. 
But the more they grumbled the more their 
leader raged. So at last each of them hoisted 
a bag upon his back and walked off. 

Polly had n’t been feeling very comfortable 
72 


A NEW ACQUAINTANCE 


during tliis wrangle, and now, as the last robber 
passed tbrougb the doorway, she was greatly 
distressed to see the yellow bat of the dwarf 
waving frantically from the top of the sack that 
the man was carrying. 


73 




GETTING OUT OF THE ARABIAN 

NIGHTS 



CHAPTER V 


GETTING OUT OF THE ARABIAN NIGHTS 

W HEN the robbers were fairly gone, Bo- 
peep stuck her head out of her hiding- 
place, and nudged Polly. ‘‘We must 
be going as soon as ever we can,” she said in a 
low voice. 

“ Is it safe to try to go ? ” asked Polly, climb- 
ing out onto the floor. 

“I don’t know as it is,” replied Bo-peep; 
“ but I ’m sure it is n’t safe to try to stay 
here.” 

“Isn’t it dreadful about the dwarf?” said 
Polly. “ Do you suppose they ’ll kill him ? ” 

“ I guess they won’t get the chance,” answered 
Bo-peep. “And, do you know, I don’t believe 
he ’s any more the Yellow Dwarf than you are.” 
77 


POLLY PERKINS* ADVENTURES 


‘‘ Who is he, then ? ” asked Polly, in greatest 
astonishment. 

But Bo-peep only nodded her head wisely 
and said : ‘‘ AVe shall see.’’ 

Then she went to the door and listened. 
‘‘ It ’s quiet out there now,” she said, and they 
won’t come back for a little while, so we may as 
well be moving.” 

“Won’t it be awfully dark?” said Polly, 
fearfully. 

“ That ’s the worst of it,” answered Bo-peep. 
“We can’t tell whether we ’re going right or 
not. I don’t know what we ’d better do.” 

“ P’raps if we took a lamp we could find the 
way better,” suggested Polly. 

“ Yes, and the thieves could find 1^5,” returned 
Bo-peep. 

“ Could n’t we put it out if we heard ’em 
coming ? ” asked Polly. 

“ Now, that ’s really a bright idea — only I 
don’t know where we are going to get a lamp,” 
replied Bo-deep. 


78 


THE- ARABIAN NIGHTS 


Why, there are plenty of ’em right here ! ” 
said Polly. 

Yes, way up in the top of the room. Much 
good they ’ll do us.” 

That one in the corner is n’t quite so high 
up,” remarked Polly, looking around the gloomy 
cavern. 

‘‘ But that one is n’t lighted,” answered Bo- 
peep. I s’pose it went out because there 
was n’t any oil in it. Besides, we could n’t get 
it anyway, so what ’s the use of talking ? ” 

Maybe it has got oil in it,” replied Polly, 
bravely. ‘^And, maybe, if I climb up on one of 
the sacks, and stand on tippy- toes, I can reach 
it. You ’ll have to boost, though.” 

Bo-peep insisted that it was n’t “any use,” 
still she “ boosted,” and, after a good deal of 
stretching and reaching, Polly managed to secure 
the lamp. 

“It s real heavy,” she said. “ I ’most think 
it s full.” 

“ But is has n’t any wick,” said Bo-peep, as 
79 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


Polly held out the lamp, after clambering to the 
floor. ‘‘And, oh ! I forgot, but how could we 
light it without a match ! ’’ 

“ It ’s very discouragin’,’^ wailed Polly, almost 
overcome at this new difficulty. 

Then, as the girls looked at each other sorrow- 
fully, a wonderful thing happened. The lamp 
began to glow with a soft, red light that kept 
growing brighter and brighter, till at last it 
shone like a live coal. 

“ Oh, ’t will burn me ! ” exclaimed Polly, let- 
ting it fall to the floor, where it at once grew 
dim. 

Bo-peep stooped and picked it up. “ Why, 
it is n’t a mite hot, goosey ! ” she said, laughing. 

Polly blushed. “ It looked hot,” she replied. 
“ I ’m ’most afraid of it, anyway,” she added, as 
the lamp again grew red in her grasp. 

“ Nonsense ! ” said Bo-peep. “ It won’t bite, 
it ’s only a magic lamp. But we must n’t stop 
here to talk.” 

The little travelers started for the sliding 

8o 


THE ARABIAN NIGHTS 


door through which they had entered the 
treasure chamber of the supposed robbers, but 
found it tightly closed. They were very much 
troubled at this. The lamp, too, was behaving 
in a strange manner, instead of throwing its 
light ahead, it shone only on one side, leaving 
the rest of the room in the shadow. 

“ I don’t see what makes everything act so 
contrary,'^ complained Bo-peep. 

“I guess that means we ought to go another 
way,” said Polly. 

She was right, for as soon as they had turned 
about the light streamed out before them, show- 
ing another opening opposite the one by which 
they had entered. They hurried toward this, 
and had hardly got safely on the other side, 
Avith the opening closed up again, before they 
heard loud voices in the treasure cave behind. 

‘‘ That was a pretty tight squeeze,” remarked 
Bo-peep, coolly. 

Polly wondered if the little shepherdess ever 
was afraid of anything. 

8i 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


By the light of the precious lamp, the travel- 
ers could see that they were in a winding gallery, 
with high walls that appeared to be cut out of 
solid rock. 

“ It ’s awfully lonesome, is n’t it?” whispered 
Polly, with a little shiver. 

It won’t be so lonesome very long,” replied 
Bo-peep, if the thieves find out which way we 
have gone. We ’d better be spry.” 

The mention of the thieves was enough to 
make Polly step pretty lively ; and, as she went 
ahead, holding the lamp. Bo-peep could scarcely 
keep up with her. They had gone quite a dis- 
tance, when they came to another and a nar- 
rower passage, leading from the one they were 
now following. They stopped at this branching 
of the path to decide which way to go. 

‘‘ I don’t like the looks of that narrow one 
very much,” said Polly. “Don’t you think 
we ’d better keep right on ? ” 

But while she was speaking the lamp 
grew dim for an instant, then, brightening up 

82 


THE ARABIAN NIGHTS 


again, shone directly into the narrow pas - 
sage. 

Oh, dear ! ’’ said she, discontentedly ; ‘‘ I 
s’pose we 'll have to go that way, but it looks 
horrid." 

“ And it is horrid," declared Bo-peep, a few 
minutes later. 

In fact, the pathway was not only narrow and 
crooked, but it was very rough, and, water 
dripping constantly from the side walls, made it 
slippery besides, so that it was all they could do 
to keep from falling. 

But they slipped and stumbled along after a 
fashion till they came to an immense rock that 
completely filled the passage and prevented their 
going further. 

“ There ! " exclaimed Bo-peep ; I did n’t 
believe ’t was the right way." 

“Do you s’pose the lamp could have made 
a mistake ? ’’ asked Polly. 

“ Not if it was held right," answered Bo-peep. 
83 


POLLY PERKINS* ADVENTURES 


don’t really expect that you know how to 
carry a magic lamp.” 

I don’t believe I do,” owned Polly. 

Had n’t you better take it ? ” 

Bo-peep grasped the lamp hurriedly, but it 
shone exactly in the same direction as before. 

I don’t care,” she said. ‘‘ I mean to go the 
other way.” 

As she spoke she turned around, but she had 
only taken a step or two when she stumbled, 
nearly falling, and the lamp flew from her 
hands. Before she could pick it up its ruddy 
glow had faded entirely away, and they were 
left in darkness. 

“ Oh, dear ! ” cried Polly, now we can’t see 
at all. ‘‘ What are we going to do without the 
lamp?” 

Why, find it, to be sure,” answered Bo-peep, 
without showing any concern. 

Polly took courage again. But, though she 
and her companion groped around on the damp 
84 


THE ARABIAN NIGHTS 


ground for quite a while, they could n’t seem to 
come near the lamp. 

I rather think we ’ll have to worry along 
without it,” said Bo-peep at last. 

‘‘I hate to give it up,” replied Polly, who 
had quite set her heart on taking the wonderful 
lamp home with her. 

‘‘Well, we can’t stop to look for it any longer,” 
said Bo-j)eep. “I can find the way in the 
dark, all right.” 

Polly could n’t help thinking that if Bo-peep 
had n’t turned back the lamp would n’t have 
gone and lost itself. But, then, it was no use to 
cry for spilt milk — or a spilt lamp, either — so she 
trudged along by the side of her friend as hope- 
fully as she could. 

But the further they went, the surer she felt 
that they were going wrong. She was just about 
to urge Bo-peep to stop, when suddenly there 
flashed out on the wall, in fiery letters, these 
words : 

“ LOOK BEFOEE YOU LEAP.” 

85 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


Now, what does that mean, I wonder ? ” 
said Bo-peep, reading the message carefully. 

I think it means that we must n’t go on,” 
said Polly, eagerly. 

‘‘ What else can we do, I ’d like to know ? ” 
returned Bo-peep. 

“ Do, please, go back where we were,” coaxed 
Polly. “ I ’m sure we can get round that rock, 
someway.” 

Well, I don’t know,” hesitated Bo-peep. 
She really thought they might as well go back, 
but she did n’t like to own that she had been in 
the wrong. 

Then this message flashed before their eyes : 
IF AT FIRST YOU DON’T SUCCEED, 
TRY, TRY AGAIN.” 

That settled it ; the girls went back as fast as 
their feet would carry them. Indeed, they hur- 
ried too much, for Polly fell down and hurt her 
knee, so that she had to limp. Then out shone 
another fiery warning : 

‘‘HASTE MAKES WASTE.” 

86 


THE ARABIAN NIGHTS 


They heeded this caution, and went more 
carefully till they thought they had reached the 
spot where the lamp had disappeared. ‘‘Maybe 
we can find it now,’’ said Polly. 

But they could n’t, though they made a pretty 
thorough search. They were feeling very down- 
hearted, when, to their delight, they heard the 
voice of their unseen friend who had advised 
them before they went into the treasure cave : 


“ Little maids, now bear in mind, 

What you seek you may not find. 

Yet there is a magic key 
That will quickly set you free. 

Use this key without delay, 

Through the door then speed away.” 

“ Where is the door ? ” asked Polly. 

“And the key ? ” added Bo-peep. 

But the small voice was silent. 

“How provoking! ” said Bo-peep, impatiently. 
“ I guess we ’ve got to find out for ourselves,” 
remarked Polly. 

“ I don’t see how we can be expected to find 

6 —Polly Perkins. 3 ^ 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


anything as small as a key when we can’t find 
a big lamp,” complained Bo-peep. 

Polly had been thinking. ‘‘ They used to say, 
‘Open sesame’ in the book,” she suggested, a 
little doubtfully, for she had an idea that her 
friend would think her very foolish. 

There ’s no knowing what Bo-peep might have 
thought — or said — but, all at once, as quick 
as a fiash, a narrow streak of light appeared at 
the end of the passage. 

“ Why, what ’s that ? ” cried Polly. 

Both girls watched eagerly. The streak grew 
wider and wider. The heavy stone that had 
kept them captive was slowly moving upward. 

“It ’s the door!” exclaimed Polly, clapping 
her hands. 

“It truly is,” said Bo-peep, giving Polly a 
hug. “And you found the key.” 

“ I ? ” said Polly, wonderingly. 

“ Yes, ’t was your ‘ Open sesame ’ that did it,” 
declared Bo-peep. 

By this time the granite “door” had risen 
88 


THE ARABIAN NIGHTS 


about three feet from the ground, and the cap- 
tives lost no time in making their way into the 
open air. They thought they heard a peal of 
laughter as the rock dropped back into place. 

89 





THEY ARE HELPED ALONG BY 

THE PIXIES 






CHAPTER VI 

THEY ARE HELPED ALONG BY THE PIXIES 

A fter hurrying along a short distance, 
Bo-peep stopped and looked around, 
first in one direction, and then in another, 
as though uncertain which way to go. The 
moon was just rising, but it gave only a dim 
light, so the travelers could not see very 
plainly. 

‘‘You don’t think we’re lost, do you?” 
asked Polly, anxiously. 

“ How can we be lost when we know where 
we are ? ” demanded Bo-peep. “ If anybody is 
lost, it ’s Boy Blue.” 

This was very comforting, of course, but Polly 
did n’t feel quite satisfied, as her companion 
could n’t help seeing. 


93 - 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


“Now, Polly Perkins,” Bo-peep went on, “ do 
you think I Ve been chasing around after sheep 
all my life to go and get lost now ? 

Polly hoped not, though she was n’t quite 
sure. But she thought it best to talk about 
something else. “I wonder who it was that 
spoke to us and gave us messages in the cave ? ’’ 
she said. 

“ I rather think it was one of the Pixies. You 
know they live underground, and they are very 
fond of meddling,” replied Bo-peep, a little 
spitefully. 

Polly was going to say that it was lucky for 
them that there was one meddlsome Pixie, any- 
way, when she heard a chorus of shrill voices 
singing : 

“ Under ground, over ground, 

Everywhere are Pixies found ; 

On the sea and on the land, 

Gallivanting, elfish band ; 

On the land and on the sea, 

Jolly Nixie-Pixies, we.” 

“ They do know how to sing,” remarked Bo- 
peep, patronizingly. 


94 


HELPED ALONG BY THE PIXIES 


Oh, my ! I ’ve always wanted to see a 
Pixie,’’ cried Polly, greatly delighted. 

“ Pixies should be heard, but not seen,” re- 
plied the shrill voices. 

Polly laughed. You did n’t say it right,” 
she said ; but do let us see you.” 

Then the wee voices chanted teasingly : 

“ Oh ! little Miss Pollj, 

Repent of your folly. 

For sorry you ’ll be, 

If a Pixie, you see.” 

I don’t see any need of your acting so silly,” 
interrupted Bo-peep. 

‘‘ Oh ! we ’re silly and meddlesome, are we ? ” 
chorussed the wee voices mockingly. 

Instantly there was a rustling sound, like ever 
so many small wings beating the air, and the 
girls were surrounded by a crowd of tiny figures, 
dancing and circling. In the midst of the 
throng, Polly espied the saucy, smiling face of 
their little acquaintance of the treasure chamber, 
who had called himself the Yellow Dwarf. 


95 


POLLY PERKINS* ADVENTURES 


What did I tell you ? said Bo-peep. 
“Now, I know it was that little torment who 
spoke to us and stuck up those mottoes on the 
wall when we were wandering around in the 
Arabian Nights.” 

“ It was very good of him,” said Polly; 

“Good! ” returned Bo-peep. “I don’t think 
so. . He might have helped us out in the first 
place, instead of keeping us poking round that 
dark passage so long.” 

Polly did n’t like to remind her friend that 
it was her own fault that she had n’t followed 
the guiding light of the magic lamp, so she kept 
silent. And just then the Pixies closed around 
them singing : 

“ Merrily sing, heigho, heigho 1 
To Gooseland now the goosies go. 

With a hippity-hop and an elfin song, 

We ’ll help the dear little goosies along. 

Whirling and twirling above and below, 

Hippity, hoppity, here we go.” 

Bo-peep declared indignantly that they were 

96 



Polly Perkins — 3. 

“ BO-PEEP GROWING SMALLER AND SMALLER IN THE DISTANCE.” 


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HELPED ALONG BY THE PIXIES 


not goosies/’ and that they did n’t want to go 
to Gooseland, anyway. 

Polly wondered if Bo-peep remembered call- 
ing her a goosie only a short time before. The 
American girl laughed just a little bit, as she 
said to herself: ‘‘Now, she can see how she 
likes it.” 

The Pixies were coming nearer and nearer 
all the time, and the next thing the travelers 
knew they were being borne along faster than 
they had ever traveled before. Polly tried to 
go through the motions of walking, but her feet 
only touched the ground once in awhile. She 
could n’t help saying to Bo-peep, as she had 
said once before : “ Is n’t it lovely ? ” 

“ Meddlesome things ! ” muttered the shep- 
herdess, who had quite lost her temper, or per- 
haps it would be nearer right to say she had lost 
her good nature, since being called a goosey. 

On they went, faster and faster, past rough 
rocks and tall trees, a long, long distance, till 
at last they saw beautiful green fields and run- 
99 


LofC. 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


ning brooks, and there was the well-remembered 
Beanstalk looming up before them. 

“We 're almost there ! " called Polly, joyfully, 
feeling almost as though she were getting home 
from a long journey. 

“ Yes ; we want to stop when we get to the 
Beanstalk," ordered Bo-peep. 

But the Pixies only laughed as though they 
thought that a good joke, and kept on singing, 
“ To Gooseland now the goosies go." 

Polly wondered if the mischievous elves would 
really take them back to the spot where she had 
first met Bo-peep. Suddenly she found she was 
standing stock-still — in Gooseland, to be sure — 
but just across the boundary line from the Land 
of Magic. She looked for Bo-peep, but to her 
surprise her friend was no longer beside her, 
but was still skipping along at a rapid rate, 
though she was trying to stop herself by catch- 
ing hold of the bushes by the wayside. 

Of course Polly didn't want to be left behind, 
besides she thought perhaps she could help her 


lOO 


HELPED ALONG BY THE PIXIES 


friend in some way, but when she tried to follow 
after she was frightened to find that she couldn’t 
lift her feet from the ground. So all she could 
do was to stand helplessly and watch Bo-peep 
growing smaller and smaller in the distance, 
until at last she was quite out of sight. 

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4 





POLLY FINDS A FRIEND IN 

NEED 




CHAPTER VII 


POLLY FINDS A FRIEND IN NEED 

I ^EAE me ! I don’t know what I ’ll do,” 
I f said Polly, feeling very woebegone, 
which is n’t at all to be wondered at, 
for it is n’t at all pleasant to be alone in a 
strange country with one’s feet fastened securely 
to the ground. 

The little girl was so troubled that she spoke 
aloud, though she did n’t expect anyone to hear 
her; so she was surprised when a pleasant voice 
replied : ‘‘ What would you like to do, my dear ? ” 
Polly looked all around — for the voice seemed 
to come from nowhere in particular — but could 
see no one. She thought perhaps the Pixies had 
returned, and she hoped she would be able to 
coax them to bring back poor little Bo-peep. 

7— Polly Perkins, 

105 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


Then the question was repeated, and the speaker 
seemed nearer than before ; still Polly could n’t 
see anyone till she happened to look up in the 
air, and there was the funniest-looking little old 
woman, sailing round, on the back of a huge 
white bird, some distance from the ground. The 
little creature was dressed in queer, old-fashioned 
garments, her head topped by a high-peaked 
hat, and in her hand she held a long staff. 

Polly’s eyes opened very wide at this unex- 
pected sight, and she quite forgot that she ought 
to say anything. 

‘^Well, how do you like my looks?” asked 
the old woman, finally, with a good-natured 
smile. 

‘‘ I — I — did n’t mean to stare at you, ma’am,” 
stammered Polly. ‘‘ I was only wondering if 
you could be Mother Goose.” 

‘‘ You did n’t suppose I could be Father Goose, 
did you?” answered the old lady, her eyes 
twinkling. 

Polly laughed merrily, and forgot that she 


POLLY FINDS A FRIEND IN NEED 


had been ready to cry only a minute before. 
‘‘ Of course not/’ she said ; “ but I did n’t expect 
to see you riding like that.” 

I daresay you thought I was too old,” retort- 
ed the newcomer, pursing up her lips and 
nodding her head. 

The little girl blushed. She had had some 
such thought. 

“ Just let me tell you,” continued the sprightly 
dame, ‘‘ that I ’m exactly as young to-day as I 
ever was.” 

Polly thought that very queer, but then she 
was getting used to queer things, so she was not 
as easily surprised as she had been at first. 
‘‘ Have you come very far, this morning ? ” she 
asked. 

Oh, a matter of a hundred miles or so,” 
replied Mother Goose, carelessly. 

‘‘Perhaps you may have seen Boy Blue or 
Bo-peep, then ? ” continued Polly. 

“I can’t remember that I have seen them 
lately,” responded the dame, “ but you know I ’m 
107 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


seeing busliels of people all the time, so I might 
easily have passed them by unnoticed/^ 

Polly tried not to show her disappointment, 
you do come across them — ” she began, 
timidly. 

Oh ! don’t worry about that,” interrupted 
the dame, kindly. ‘^We ’ll make it our business 
to come across them.” 

‘‘We?” repeated Polly, wondering what she 
could do, with her feet stuck fast to the ground. 

“Yes, I’ll take you along; Goosey Gander 
will carry two,” replied the old woman. 

“ But I can’t move an inch ! ” said Polly, 
dolefully. 

“Why not, pray?” demanded Mother Goose, 
sharply. 

“ The Pixies won’t let me.” 

“ Oh ! they won’t, won’t tliey ? We ’ll see 
about that. Don’t you know that I am the 
Queen of Gooseland ? ” 

“ That ’s what the mother sheep told me,” 
answered Polly. “ But the Pixies — ” 
io8 


POLLY FINDS A FRIEND IN NEED 


‘‘Never mind the Pixies/’ said the Queen; 
“ give me your hand.” 

Polly obeyed this command, and in another 
moment was seated on the strange steed behind 
the old woman. Goosey Gander flapped his 
wings, and off they went like the wind. 

It did n’t take Polly long to decide that 
riding gooseback was the very nicest way of 
traveling she had tried yet. “ I mean to get a 
goose as soon ’s I get home,” she told her new 
friend, in confldence. 

The little girl was rather puzzled at hearing 
Mother Goose reply : “Ah I there ’s but one 
Goosey Gander ! ” 

“ Why, in America, where I came from, there 
are oceans of geese,” exclaimed Polly. 

“Indeed?” said Mother Goose. “Well, in 
this country we have oceans of water.” 

“Of course,” laughed Polly. “I mean we 
have lots of geese there.” 

“Very good,” said the old woman, “but we 
have lots of land here.” 

109 


POLLY PERKINS* ADVENTURES 


“ Oh, dear ! ” returned Polly; ‘‘ you know what 
I mean. There are ever so many geese there/’ 

“That ’s better,” said Mother Goose. “But, 
as I said before, there ’s but one Goosey Gander; 
so that settles it.” 

“ Well, anyway — ” said Polly, then stopped, 
fearing that the dame might think her ill-man- 
nered. 

“Well, what?” said Mother Goose. “Out 
with it.” 

“ I was only thinking,” said Polly, “that you 
spoke about seeing bushels of people. In 
America we have bushels of potatoes and ap- 
ples, and such things.” 

Mother Goose laughed heartily. “ You are 
a very wise child,” she rejoined. 

Just then they caught sight of Bo-peep, sitting 
under a tree, looking very forlorn, and (it must 
be confessed) cross. 

“ We ’ve come for you ! ” shouted Polly. 

The little shepherdess looked rather pleasanter 
at sight of her deliverers. 


no 



Poiiy Perkins — 4. 

“LOOKING VERY EORLORN AND . . .CROSS.” 


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POLLY FINDS A FRIEND IN NEED 


Come, be quick ! ’’ said Mother Goose. 
“Goosey Gander will carry three.” 

“Always room for one more,” added Polly. 

Bo-peep began to frown again. “Those hate- 
ful Pixies ! ” she sputtered ; “ they he holding 
me fast.” 

“ Nonsense ! ” exclaimed Mother Goose, se- 
verely. “Don’t you happen to know who 1 
am?” 

“Of course, I do,” answered Bo-peep; “but 
I ’d like to know — ” 

“ No buts about it,” interrupted the dame.^ 
“ Just get up here.” 

Upon this Bo-peep jumped up as nimbly as 
you please, and, taking hold of the old woman’s 
outstretched hand, was swung up beside Polly 
in almost no time. 

“ Now,” said the Queen, “ as we don’t want to 
go on any wild-goose chase, I would like to in- 
quire if you have any idea where that sleepy- 
head, Boy Blue, is to be found?” 

The girls thought that probably their missing 
”3 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


cavalier was in the Beanstalk Country, so 
Mother Goose turned her steed in that direction, 
and away they sailed, high up in the air. 

It ’s lots better fun than climbing, is n’t it?” 
whispered Polly to Bo-peep. 

Of course,” replied that damsel, with quite 
a lofty air. “ Keep your eyes wide open and you 
may see the Man in the Moon.” 

Oh, my ! ” cried Polly. Would n’t that 
be splendiferous? I never dreamed of seeing 
him.” 

That ’s nothing,” returned Bo-peep, calmly. 

I ’ve seen him quantities of times. I ’ve seen 
the cow jump over the moon, too.” 

Polly fairly held her breath at this announce- 
ment. “ I ’d give anything to see that,” she 
said. “ Do you s’pose — ” 

Now, my dear,” broke in Mother Goose, re- 
provingly, “you must n’t expect to see everything 
all at once. Besides, Moolly is n’t taking high 
jumps every day.” 

“I s’pose not,” said Polly, a little abashed. 

114 


POLLY FINDS A FRIEND IN NEED 


‘‘ But, anyway, I ’d' like to know wliat becomes 
of lier afterwards. ‘‘Where does she jump 
to?” 

“ Why, into the Milky Way, to be sure,” 
responded the old lady. 

“ I never thought of that,” exclaimed Polly. 
“ But is there really, truly milk — ” 

“ Gallons of it,” interrupted Mother Goose. 
“ If we were n’t in such a hurry, I would borrow 
the Little Dipper and let you have a drink.” 

“ The Little Dipper is made out of stars ; is n’t 
it ? ” questioned Polly. 

“ To be sure,” replied Mother Goose. “And 
so is the Big Dipper.” 

“ How much you know .about things up here 
in the sky,” said Polly, admiringly. 

“Yes; astronomy was always my favorite 
study,” responded the ancient dame. “ But, if 
you improve your time, I daresay you will know 
as much as I do when you are as old.” 

Polly was trying to reckon just how old that 
would be when she saw, to her delight, that they 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


were drawing near a great silvery ball, and, was 
it possible ! yes, there was the Moon Man smil- 
ing at them — at Polly in particular — in the most 
bewitching manner. 

How she did wish they could stop awhile. She 
was sure the jolly fellow would like to ask them 
to come in and rest. 

But their guide was in such a hurry that she 
whisked them past before there was a chance 
to say a word. However, Polly managed to 
blow a kiss at his moonly highness, and he 
winked graciously in return before they lost sight 
of each other. 

Now, they went on faster than ever, scurrying 
past red-hot comets and through showers of fall- 
ing stars. Polly was more than half afraid they 
would run up against a planet, or get hit by a 
stray meteor, and she was actually dizzy with 
turning and twisting her head constantly, so as 
not to miss any of the strange sights. 

All at once, happening to look down, she no- 
ticed that Goosey Gander was no longer flying. 


POLLY FINDS A FRIEND IN NEED 


but was trotting along on solid ground. ‘‘Why, 
what place is this ? ’’ she inquired. 

“ The Beanstalk Country, to be sure,” replied 
Mother Goose, briskly. “ I sorry to leave 
you, my dears, but I promised to take tea with 
my son. Jack, and his wife, and I 'm afraid 
I ’m a little behind time. Hope we shall meet 
again. Good-bye.’’ 

The little travelers were so bewildered at 
this sudden ending of their journey that they 
dismounted from Goosey Gander’s back without 
saying a word. The Queen of Gooseland waved 
her hand in farewell and sailed away. 

Polly and Bo-peep were once more in a strange 
country without a guide. 

117 



IN THE BEANSTALK COUNTRY 




CHAPTER VIII 


IN THE BEANSTALK COUNTRY 

T his new country was a most wonderful 
place. To begin with, the sun was 
shining brightly, though the travellers 
had been journeying by moonlight. Then no- 
where else had they seen rocks so enormous, nor 
trees and shrubs so tall. As for the grass, every 
blade was like a table-knife in size, and the 
flowers were large enough to serve either as seats 
or hiding-places for the visitors. 

Polly climbed into the heart of a morning- 
glory, and swung lazily to and fro. “ I rather 
like this,’’ she said. ‘‘ I don’t know as I would 
mind staying here awhile.” 

‘‘ I daresay you ’ll have to stay here awhile,” 
remarked Bo-peep, who was seated close by on a 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


toadstool, fanning herself with the petal of a 
wild rose. 

“ I don’t want to stay too long,” said Polly, 
almost frightened at Bo-peep’s way of speaking. 
‘‘We can go when we like, can’t we ? ” 

“ Well, perhaps,” replied Bo-peep, slowly. 
“ But, then, it ’s a pretty good sort of a place. I 
only wish we knew where to look for some nice 
giant, so w^e could enquire about that provoking 
Boy Blue.” 

“ Goodness ! ” exclaimed Polly in a fright. 
“ I would n’t see a giant for the world ! ” 

“ Oh ! they ’re not so bad,” returned Bo-peep, 
“if you only keep on the right side of them.” 

“ The outside, I s’pose you mean,” said Polly, 
soberly. 

“ You certainly are the funniest girl ! ” laughed 
Bo-peep. 

“I don’t see anything funny about that,” 
returned Polly, in real distress. 

Bo-peep laughed and “ poohed,” till finally 
Polly felt ashamed of being such a coward, and 


122 


IN THE BEANSTALK COUNTRY 


determined not to worry any more. ‘‘ I guess 
this is a pretty big country,’’ she said, as she and 
her friend sat chatting and sipping honey from 
huge clover blossoms. 

‘‘ That ’s what I ’ve always heard,” replied 
Bo-peep, ‘‘ though I Ve never had a chance to 
come up here before.” 

‘‘ I have been wondering how we would find 
Boy Blue,” continued Polly. ‘‘He may be 
miles and miles away from here.” 

“ I was thinking of that, too,” said the shep- 
herdess. “ You see, a mile up here is ever so 
much longer than it is down in Gooseland.” 

“My!” exclaimed Polly. “What will we 
do about it ? ” 

“We ’ll have to ride, that ’s all,” replied Bo- 
peep, in her usual matter-of-fact way. 

“ But there is n’t anything to ride on,” 
objected Polly. “ No Goosey Gander, any- 
way.” 

“That does n’t matter,” returned Bo-peep. 
“What do you say to a dragon — ” 

8— Polly Perkins. j 2 ^ 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


‘‘ Oh ! ’’ cried Polly, ‘‘ a dragon would be 
worse than a giant.” 

‘‘ Dragon-fly, I was going to say,” finished 
Bo-peep. 

“ I did n’t know dragon-flies would carry 
folks,” said Polly, in some confusion. 

“Maybe they won’t,” replied Bo-peep. “But 
I ’m going to find out.” 

Then she began to sing softly : 

“ Dragon-fly, up in the air, 

Flying here and flying there,. 

Dragon-fly, where’er you be, 

Kindly stop and speak to me. 

“I think that ought to fetch him,” she 
remarked, when she had finished. 

Polly did n’t really believe that any dragon- 
fly would answer this call, and she came near 
screaming when a creature with a long body of 
changeable rainbow colors, and wings as clear as 
glass, settled on a bush close by. 

“ Well, here I am,” remarked this creature. 

“ Mercy ! ” cried Polly, “ can you talk, too ? ” 

124 


IN THE BEANSTALK COUNTRY 


“ And why not, if I may ask ? ’’ responded the 
dragon-fly — for it was he. “ The mother sheep 
talked, so did the pussy-cat, so did Tommy 
Tinker’s dog. Why should n’t I ? ” 

Polly could n’t think of any very good 
reason why he should n’t, so she said : ‘‘ You ’ve 
been in Gooseland, have n’t you ? ” 

‘‘ No, indeed,” he replied. “ I would n’t 
go there for all the world. I ’m afraid the 
low altitude would n’t agree with me.” 

What is low altitude?” asked Polly. ‘‘I 
did n’t see any when I was down there.” 

‘‘ I ’m sure I don’t know,” replied the dragon- 
fly. ‘‘ You ’ll have to ask somebody else. But 
that ’s what my doctor said.” 

‘‘How did you happen to know about the 
sheep and the others,” said Polly, “seeing that 
you have n’t been there ? ” 

“ Oh ! a little bird told me,” replied the 
dragon-fly, fluttering his wings impatiently. 
“ Did you call me here to ask all these silly 
questions ? ” 


125 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


She did n’t call you at all,” put in Bo-peep. 

It was I who called. We want you to give us 
a ride.” 

‘‘Well, I don’t know about that,” said he. 
“ The fact is, I have an important engagement 
at ten o’clock.” 

“We never thought of your having anything 
to do,” said Polly, apologetically. 

“ No ; I suppose you thought I spent all my 
time dusting my coat and polishing my wings,” 
responded the dragon-fly, twisting his head 
over his shoulder to look at himself. 

“ I daresay you don’t do much else,” said Bo- 
peep, spitefully. 

“ That shows how little you know about me,” 
he returned. “ I ’m one of the busiest creatures 
in the world. To-day I have promised to go 
and kill off a swarm of musquitoes for some folks 
who are having a picnic.” 

“Of course, we would n’t trouble you, then,” 
said Polly. 

“Awfully sorry, but think I will have to ask 

126 


IN THE BEANSTALK COUNTRY 


you to excuse me,” he continued. Quite likely 
one of the grasshopper family will be willing 
to give you a lift.” 

Then he spread his beautiful gauzy wings 
and darted away, glistening in the sunlight like 
a piece of a rainbow. 

‘‘ That engagement is all nonsense,” remarked 
Bo-peep, watching the airy creature out of sight. 
“ He eats musquitoes just for the fun of it.” 

Ugh ! how dreadful ! ” said Polly. “ I be- 
lieve we would like a grasshopper better, 
don’t you ? ” 

‘‘We ’ll see,” said Bo-peep. “I ’m going to 
call one, right away.” So she sang again : 

“ Oh ! Grasshopper Gray, please hurry this way ; 

Come from the winrows of sweet-smelling hay, 

Come from the meadows where wild cowslips grow, 

Come from the pastures where fresh breezes blow, 

Come from the forest, or come from the hill. 

Grasshopper, grasshopper, come whence you will.” 

“ Seems as though he ought to be in some of 
those places,” said Polly. 

127 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


“ I would n’t be surprised if we bad a half- 
dozen here at once,” returned Bo-peej). ‘‘ I 
declare, there ’s one coming already ! ” she 
added, in the next breath. 

Polly turned her head and saw an ungainly- 
looking creature ambling toward them. He had 
a clumsy body, thick hindlegs, large head, and 
a pair of dull, closely-folded wings. 

My ! is n’t he ugly ? ” Polly whispered to 
her companion. 

‘‘ Handsome is as handsome does,” responded 
the new arrival, giving a sudden leap, and 
landing between the two girls. 

Polly shrieked and jumped from her flowery 
seat, and even Bo-peep arose from the toadstool, 
while the grasshopper, holding his sides with 
his forelegs, shook with laughter. 

‘‘ Perhaps you call that a handsome trick,” 
said Bo-peep, rather ashamed of her foolishness. 

“No; it was very ungentlemanly,” replied 
the grasshopper. “I really didn’t mean to jump 
quite so far.” 


128 


IN THE BEANSTALK COUNTRY 


‘‘And I did n’t think of your hearing what I 
said,” remarked Polly. “ I would n’t hurt your 
feelings for the world.” 

“ I guess we ’re about even,” said he, smiling. 
“ But did you want me for anything ? ” 

“Why, of course. Did n’t you hear me call?” 
replied Bo-peep. 

“I heard someone call Grasshopper Gray,” 
said he. “ Now, I ’m gray enough, but I ’m 
not exactly a grasshopper. 

“What under the sun are you, then?” de- 
manded Bo-peep. 

“ Don’t you know that grasshoppers are green, 
instead of gray ? ” returned he. “ Besides, they 
have no wings ; so, of course, they can’t fly. I ’m 
a locust.’^ 

“ Well, it does n’t matter what you call your- 
self,” said Bo-peep, “though the wings will 
be very convenient. We want you to give us a 
ride, if you please.” 

The locust looked at them very seriously. 

129 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


“ What ! carry both you heavy girls at once 
he exclaimed. 

We ^re not so very heavy/’ said Polly, 
anxiously. She was beginning to think they 
were going to have considerable difficulty in 
getting a ride. 

The locust shook his head sadly. ‘‘The 
next thing you know, you ’ll be arrested for 
cruelty to animals,” said he. 

“ I guess we ’d better walk, then,” replied 
she, meekly. 

“H’m,” sniffed Bo-peep. “I wonder if you 
are the only grasshopper — locust, I mean — in 
this country ! Have n’t you got a brother, or 
somebody, that would help you ? ” 

“ Why, yes,” he replied, hesitating. “ I have 
sisters and brothers and aunts and cousins by 
the dozens. Any of ’em would help. But, 
really, I don’t believe you would like our gait. 
You know we go mostly on the skip-jump, and 
T ’m afraid it might make you sea-sick.” 

T30 


IN THE BEANSTALK COUNTRY 


I ’m afraid it would, too,” said Polly. But 
I thought you could fly.” 

‘‘We can fly if we like,” replied he ; “ but 
we generally prefer to jump round near the 
ground. Sometimes, though, a whole swarm of 
us fly away to look for something to eat. You 
just ought to see us light on a fleld of corn. We 
eat it down to the ground in no time, and the 
sound of our jaws is heard all around. Would 
you like to go to any cornfleld in particular ? ” 

“Goodness, no!” answered Polly, “I’m 
afraid we might get chewed up, too.” 

“ Well, I think you would be better off here,” 
said the locust, scratching his head, thought- 
fully. “ Now, there ’s the fleld-mouse. He ’s 
just the animal for you to ride. He has a nice 
gait, and is perfectly gentle.” 

“ Oh, I ’m awfully afraid of mice,” said Polly. 
“ I ’d rather walk.” 

“Perhaps you prefer a bird,” he went on. 
“ There ’s the sparrow, he ’s safe, and strong 
131 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 

enough to carry both of you. Shall I send you 
a sparrow ? 

If you please,” said Polly. ‘‘ I would like 
a bird very much.” 

‘‘ Yes,” said Bo-peep, and don’t be all day 
about it, either.” 

So the locust jumped away, and in about 
forty seconds a sleek young sparrow flew down 
in front of them, and warbled a few musical 
notes by way of greeting. 

“ I s’pose that ’s his way of talking,” said 
Polly, venturing to stroke the pretty fellow’s 
glossy head. 

‘‘Oh, I can talk words, if I please,” he 
chirped, ruffling up his feathers. “ The locust 
said you wanted to see me.” 

“ Yes ; he thought perhaps you would take us 
to ride,” answered Polly. 

“ Um ! ” said the sparrow ; “I ’m pretty busy, 
but I guess I can manage it. Which way do 
you want to go ? ” 


132 


IN THE BEANSTALK COUNTRY 


“ Oil ! any way,” replied Bo-peep. It 
does n t make much difference.” 

‘‘ That suits me to a T,” said the sparrow. 
‘‘ Now, I ’ll tell you what I 11 do. I have to 
go and take care of a lot of caterpillars for a 
farmer over yonder, and I can take you along to 
the blueberry patch and set you down there. 
How do you like that ? ” 

“ Where is the blueberry patch ? ” asked Bo- 
peep. ‘‘ I never heard of it.” 

‘‘What difference does that make? ” returned 
he. “ You 11 find out when you get there.” 

“ Very well,” said Bo-peep. “ We may as 
well go as to stay here.” 

So the girls stood up on the toadstool and 
climbed onto the sparrow’s back, and he flew off 
with them. They tried to look down on the 
ground as they traveled along ; but the bird flew 
so fast and so high up in the air that they 
could nt see very much below. They were not 
sorry when he alighted in the patch of blueberry 
bushes, and waited for them to dismount. 

133 


POLLY PERKINS^ ADVENTURES 


‘‘ I ’ll call for you when I come back,’’ he sang, 
as with a farewell flutter of his wings he hurried 
away to attend to his work. 

“ I guess he won’t And us if he does call,” 
remarked Bo-peep. 

134 


GIANT GOOD 




CHAPTER IX 


GIANT GOOD 

“ 11 /TY ! I never saw such monster blue- 
|V| berries in all my life/’ exclaimed 
Polly ; ‘‘ they re ’most as big as 

grapes.” 

‘‘And ten times as good. I never tasted any 
berries as sweet as these,” said Bo-peep, filling 
her mouth with the luscious fruit. 

The little girls had scarcely begun to enjoy 
the feast before they were startled by a heavy, 
thumping sound that made the ground tremble 
beneath them. 

“Do you think it’s an — an earthquake?” 
gasped Polly, her teeth chattering. 

^37 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


‘‘Sounds some like it — or maybe an ele- 
phant/’ replied Bo-peep, looking rather troubled 
herself, at this interruption. 

As the girls listened the tramp, tramp, tramp 
sounded nearer and nearer, and in a few min- 
utes the shadow of some immense object fell 
over and around them. 

“It must be growing cloudy,” said Polly, 
trying to be brave. And then she saw some- 
thing so dreadful that she screamed and covered 
her face with her hands! 

“ Don’t be afraid, little one,” said a big voice 
that sounded very much like the rumbling of 
distant thunder. 

“Why, it really is a giant!” cried Bo-peep. 

“ Bless me, if there is n’t another midget ! 
responded the newcomer. 

Then he stooped down and picked up the two 
little girls, seating one in the palm of each hand. 
“I hope you ’re quite comfortable,” he said. “I 
could n’t see you very well down there.” 

The voice, though terrifically loud, was so 
138 







GIANT GOOD 


very pleasant that Polly ventured to uncover her 
eyes and look up. 

The big fellow was smiling. You don’t seem 
to like me very well,” he remarked, ‘‘ but I ’m 
particularly fond of little girls.” 

Polly hid her face again. 

‘‘Don’t be a silly,” whispered Bo-peep. “ He 
won’t eat us.” 

“ Eat you ! ” roared the giant. “ That ’s a 
good joke. You would n’t make a mouthful. 
Besides, I never ate anybody in my life.” 

“ Why ! ” exclaimed Polly, raising her head, 
“ I ’ve heard — ” 

“Mustn’t believe all you hear,” interrupted 
the giant, looking very serious. 

“AVell, I ’ve read, too — ” continued Polly. 

“Must n’t believe everything you read, either,” 
said the giant. “There is n’t a word of truth in 
those stories they print about giants.” 

“ Did n’t you ever have your head cut off by 
Jack the Giant-Killer?” demanded Polly, openr 
ing her eyes very wide. 

q— Polly Perkins. JAl 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


The big man roared again. Do I look as 
though I had lost my head ? he asked. 

Polly confessed that she did nh think he did. 

“ Perhaps I ’d better introduce myself/’ said 
the giant, as he slipped Polly from his right 
hand to his left arm, and began to search in 
his pocket. 

“Here ’s my card,” he went on, holding up 
a piece of pasteboard about the size of a sheet 
of foolscap, on which was neatly written, in large 
letters, 

Giant Good, 

Castle Charming. 

“We have n’t our cards with us,” said the little 
shepherdess, “ but I am Bo-peep, and this is my 
friend, Polly Perkins, from America.” 

“ Delighted to make your acquaintance, I ’m 
sure,” responded Giant Good, doffing his cap. 
“ I shall consider it a great honor if you will 
take luncheon with me at my castle.” 

“Of course, we will,” replied Bo-peep, 
142 


GIANT GOOD 


promptly. ‘‘ I ’m awfully hungry ; and so are 
you, are n’t you, Polly ? ” 

Polly suddenly remembered that she was 
hungry, so she said “ Yes,” rather faintly, for 
she felt a little timid yet. But she noticed that- 
Bo-peep did n’t seem to be a bit afraid, and be- 
fore long she herself began to enjoy the novel 
ride through this beautiful, strange country. 

The giant took such long steps that Polly 
thought they must have travelled a good many 
miles, when they stopped in front of a big 
building that looked to her like a half-dozen 
churches joined together. 

Welcome to Castle Charming,” said the 
owner of the castle, proudly. ‘‘ My house is 
rather small,” he explained. ‘‘ I ’m a single 
man, so I don’t need much room.” 

Why, I think there ’s ever so much room,” 
said Polly, after their friend had shown them 
through his dwelling. Only there does n’t 
seem to be any upstairs.” 

‘‘No,” he replied. “I wouldn’t have it 
143 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


more than one story high, because I don’t like 
to climb stairs, and elevators are very unhealthy.” 

‘‘ I did n’t know that,” said Polly, looking 
surprised. 

It ’s a fact,” replied the giant. “ Don’t you 
know that people are often killed by elevators 
going up too soon or coming down too hard, or 
something like that ? ” 

‘‘ Oh,” said Polly, “ you mean accidents.” 

“ Is n’t it unhealthy to be killed, even if you 
do call it an accident ? ” demanded the giant. 

Polly said she supposed it was, so that ques- 
tion was settled. 

‘‘ Sorry I have n’t any toy furniture,” re- 
marked the giant, looking around for a place to 
seat his tiny guests. 

“We would rather walk round a little, if you 
please,” said Polly, who wanted very much to 
examine some of the curious things in the giant’s 
parlor and library. 

“ Of course,” said he, good-naturedly. “Just 
make yourselves at home.” 

H4 


GIANT GOOD 


It would take too long to describe everything 
they saw in these immense rooms. There were 
books, to begin with, the very smallest as big as 
an unabridged Webster’s dictionary. Then 
there was a gigantic Jew’s harp that the visitors 
thought very wonderful, and a mouth organ 
about the size of a steamer trunk. The giant 
played on both these instruments, making con- 
siderable noise. 

I s’pose you sing, too ? ” enquired Polly, 
who wished to be polite. 

“ Sometimes,” replied the giant. “ But I 
have a bad cold to-day, and am so hoarse that 
I ’m afraid it would scare you to hear me. It ’s 
apt to shake things up when I ’m practicing.” 

Polly looked at Bo-peep, and Bo-peep looked 
at Polly. ‘‘ That ’s what shook us off the lad- 
der ! ” they exclaimed, in concert. 

But their entertainer was so busy playing 
Sing a song o’ Sixpence ” that he did n’t hear 
the exclamation. 

‘‘I declare!” he said, when he had finished 
145 


POLLY PERKINS* ADVENTURES 


playing ; “ I forgot to enquire wliat you would 
like for luncheon. My cook will get anything 
you like. Just give your orders.’’ 

Polly thought some strawberry shortcake and 
cream would taste very good. 

Bo-peep said she would like some fried 
chicken, if it was n’t too much trouble. 

“ Kind of a slim luncheon, appears to me,” 
remarked the giant. ‘‘ I generally eat a lamb or 
two, or half an ox, but I daresay you would n’t 
care for anything so hearty.” 

I guess not, thank you,” replied Polly, 
thinking what a very large frying-pan would be 
needed to cook the giant’s steak and chops. 
But then, of course, everything about this house 
needed to be of immense size to be of any use to 
the master. 

“ You can suit yourselves, of course, but I ’m 
going to have a good square meal,” said the 
giant, who seemed a little disappointed that his 
guests did n’t order more of a ‘‘ spread.” 

Pretty soon the lunch-bell rang, with a heavy, 
146 


GIANT GOOD 


clanging sound like a fog-bell, and the giant 
carried his wee visitors into the dining-room. 

‘‘ Seeing that I have n’t any high-chairs,” he 
said, ‘‘ perhaps you won’t mind if I turn over a 
couple of teacups for stools, and let you sit right 
up here on the table.” 

The girls did n’t mind at all, and were soon 
comfortably seated. 

‘‘ Does n’t seem as though you had anything 
to eat,” said the giant ; ‘‘ I told the cook to make 
the shortcake small, on account of youi* being 
rather small.” 

The visitors said it was plenty large,” as 
indeed it was, being at least a yard square. 
And such strawberries ! There was n’t one 
smaller than a good-sized peach, and some were 
even larger. Then there was a gallon pitcher 
full of rich cream. 

As for the host, he had a half-dozen dishes to 
make up his ‘‘ square meal.” 

Bo-peep and Polly ate quite heartily of the 
chicken, and had made some headway on the 
147 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


shortcake, when Polly suddenly cried: ‘'Oh, 
Bo-peep!’’ And then Bo-peep cried: “Oh, 
Polly 1 ” 

“What ’s the matter ?” asked the giant, laying 
down his knife and fork and looking worried. 
“ Ain’t the strawberries big enough ? ” 

“ Yes, indeed,” replied Polly. 

“ Is n’t there enough cream ? There ’s plenty 
more in the pantry, you know.” 

“ It is n’t that,” said Bo-peep. “ But we just 
remembered that we forgot to remember some- 
thing.” 

“ Is that all ? ” said the giant, looking relieved. 
“Well, what did you midgets forget to 
remember ? ” 

“Boy Blue,” answered the girls together. 
“ That is, we had quite forgotten that we came 
up here just to find him.” 

“And he may be getting lost some more 
while we ’re visiting with you,” said Polly. 

“ Boy Blue ! ” repeated the giant, looking as 
though he was trying to think of somebody or 
148 


GIANT GOOD 


something. ‘‘ Is he a pretty little chap, dressed 
in blue ? 

“ Oh, yes. Where is he ? cried the girls, 
eagerly. 

‘‘ You need n’t worry,’’ said he. ‘‘ I can tell 
you exactly where to find him.” 

“ Where ? ” cried the girls, greatly delighted. 

“ You ’ll find him — ” said the giant slowly, 
you ’ll find him — fast asleep ! Ha! ha ! ha ! ” 

The big fellow was so pleased at this joke that 
he laughed till all the dishes on the table 
rattled, and the visitors were shaken from their 
crockery stools and very nearly fell into the 
soup tureen. 

He became serious enough at this, and begged 
the little girls’ pardon as he helped them to their 
seats again. 

‘‘ Finish your luncheon,” he said, ‘‘ and we ’ll 
go and look for the youngster.” 

But the girls had lost their appetites — per- 
haps on account of Boy Blue, possibly on 
account of the fried chicken and shortcake. 


149 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


At any rate, they could n^t eat another mouth- 
ful, so the giant good-naturedly excused them, 
and they all set forth together, the little visitors 
riding in the hand of their big friend as before. 

After he had tramped a few hundred miles, 
the giant asked : Do you see that sign over 
there, at the right ? ’’ 

Polly and Bo-peep looked and saw a huge 
wooden slab, on which was printed in large 
letters this warning : 

“NO TEESPASSING 
ON THESE GEOUNDS!’’ 

In the shadow of the slab, fast asleep lay Boy 
Blue! 

“ Do you call that trespassing ? ” asked Polly, 
anxiously. 

“ Well, rather,’’ replied the giant. “ You see, 
I put up that sign so that none of you midgets 
need be trod under my feet when I ’m out 
taking my constitutional.” 

“ Constitutional I ” repeated Polly, with an 
effort. “ Is that a new kind of medicine ? ” 

150 


GIANT GOOD 


GianI; Good came very near laughing again, 
but he managed to check himself, while he ex- 
plained that he only meant his morning walk 
for his health. 

“And, now, as we Ve found your friend,’’ he 
said, “ perhaps I ’d better bid you good-bye, for 
it might give him a scare to wake up and find 
me here.” 

“You dear, good, kind giant!” cried Polly? 
squeezing the big hand that was still holding 
her securely. 

“You won’t believe any more of those stories 
about bad giants, then ? ” he asked, smiling. 

“No, indeed!” declared Polly. 

Giant Good then gave each of the girls a little 
finger to shake, and said they must be sure to 
visit him when they came that way again. 
Then he put them gently on the ground, and 
strode away, taking steps about ten feet long. 

When the big fellow was out of sight Polly 
and Bo-peep turned to awaken Boy Blue. To 
their astonishment, he was nowhere to be seen ! 
151 


4 



BOY BLUE IS FOUND AND LOST 

AGAIN 






CHAPTER X 


BOY BLUE IS FOUND AND LOST AGAIN 

don’t s’pose he fell into the Arabian 
W Nights, do you ? ” asked Polly, greatly 
troubled at this sudden disappearance. 

‘‘ I hardly think so,” replied the shepherdess. 

But I would n’t wonder if he caught sight of 
Giant Good, and was frightened away.” 

‘‘ Why, he did n’t talk a mite as though he 
was afraid of giants,” exclaimed Polly. 

“You can’t always tell by the way folks 
talk,” said Bo-peep, wisely. “ He can’t be far 
off, though. We ’ll look round a bit.” 

They had hardly begun their search, how- 
ever, before they heard someone shouting, and, 
looking back, they saw the missing Boy Blue 
running toward them. 

155 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


“ Well, girls,” lie called, when he was near 
enough to be heard, “ how is this for high ? ” 

‘‘Young man,” returned Bo-peep, severely, 
“ what do you think of yourself?” 

The youth blushed guiltily. “ I ’m awfully 
sorry,” he said. “ I meant to come and look for 
you, honestly, but I fell asleep. I hope you 
have n’t been here very long.” 

“ Humph ! a pretty escort ! ” replied Bo-peep, 
scornfully. “We might have been eaten up by 
giants, or murdered by thieves, or carried off by 
Pixies, or had almost anything else happen to us, 
for all you.” 

“ You know, my father was one of the Seven 
Sleepers,” said Boy Blue, trying to excuse him- 
self. 

“ Well, I should say you were at least a dozen 
sleepers,” returned Bo-peep. “ You ought to be 
ashamed of yourself.” 

“ I am, if that will do you any good,” he said, 
smiling. “ But I guess you got along all right. 
You look pretty chipper.” 

156 


BOY BLUE IS FOUND 


‘‘Oil! we got along fast enough — most too 
fast, some of the time,” retorted Bo-peep, tartly. 

“Come, now, tell a fellow about it, can’t 
you ? ” coaxed he. “ What ’s the good of being 
so cross ? ” 

“Tell you about it!” replied Bo-peep. 
“Why, you would be asleep before I had half 
finished.” 

“ I don’t see how I am to blame for your fall- 
ing off the beanstalk,” said he, in an injured 
tone. 

“Well, I don’t suppose you are,” said Bo- 
peep, who was n’t half as hard-hearted as she 
sometimes seemed to be. 

“And I ’ll promise never to go to sleep again 
— till night,” he continued. 

Then they all laughed and were good friends 
once more. 

“ But do tell us,” said Polly, “ what became 
of you, just now, when we lost sight of you ? ” 

“ That was pretty well done, was n’t it ? ” he 
returned, proudly. 

10— Polly Perkins. 


157 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


‘‘ So you ran away ? remarked Bo-peep. 
‘‘ That was what I thought.’’ 

“ No, I did n’t run a step,” declared the lad, 
“ but I heard you talking with old Ka- 
foozleum — ” 

‘‘ Giant Good, if you please,” interrupted Bo- 
peep, with dignity. 

‘‘ Giant Good, then, if that pleases you,” said 
Boy Blue, ‘‘ and I thought perhaps he might 
have something to say because I did n’t keep off 
the grass, so I just slipped behind a Johnny 
Jump-up till the old fellow got out of sight.” 

‘‘ Of course, you were n’t afraid ? ” said Bo- 
peep. 

Well — er — no; but it ’s always just as well 
not to take any chances. Of course, I did n’t 
know that he was such an amiable old chap.” 

I don’t think it is nice for you to speak 
about him in that way,” said Polly. 

Then I ’ll speak of him some other way,” 
promised Boy Blue. But, say, do you girls 
want to go calling on any more giants ? ” 

158 


BOY BLUE IS FOUND 


‘‘I guess not/* said Polly; ‘^tliey may not all 
be as good as Giant Good.** 

“In that case/* said Boy Blue, “perhaps 
we *d better be getting out of the Beanstalk 
Country.** 

“ That *s what I was thinking,** agreed Polly. 
“What do you think. Bo-peep?** 

“ I don*t know as there *s much more to stay 
for,** replied Bo-peep. “ But it is n*t so easy 
getting away.** 

“ I wish we were already down,** said Polly, 
who all at once happened to think that it was 
very uncertain where they might land. 

“ It *s a pretty shaky undertaking,** remarked 
Bo-peep, cheerfully. 

“ S*posen Giant Good should happen to sing 
or sneeze — or even laugh,** Polly suggested, more 
and more afraid. 

“ That *s so,*’ said Bo-peep. “ Now, if we 
only had a balloon I ** 

“What *s the matter with floating on a thistle- 
159 


POLLY PERKINS* ADVENTURES 


down?^’ questioned Boy Blue, who had been 
thinking very hard for several minutes. 

“ We might do that,” answered Bo-peep, look- 
ing relieved. ‘‘It was very clever of you to 
think of it. But can you find any thistles big 
enough ?” 

“ Plenty of ^em, big as balloons,” responded 
Boy Blue. “What do you say, Polly?” 

Polly said that she would rather take her 
chances floating on a thistledown than climbing 
a beanstalk down. 

“ That ’s sensible,” said Boy Blue. “ I ’ll go 
right away and cut two of the biggest and fluffiest 
thistles I can find.” 

“You won’t be gone long, will you?” Polly 
called after him. 

“No; you girls be sure and stay just where 
you are now,” he called back. 

“ Do you believe we ought to have let him 
go by himself,” said Polly, when the lad was 
fairly out of sight. “ Would n’t it be dreadful 
if he should happen to fall asleep again ? ” 


BOY BLUE IS FOUND 


Oh, I guess he ’ll manage to keep awake, 
answered Bo-peep. 

But as time passed, and the sun kept sinking 
lower and lower, till at last it was quite out of 
sight, she was as anxious as Polly. ‘‘ I would 
like to give that sleepy-head a good shaking ! ” 
she said, impatiently. 

I do think he might have kept awake for 
once,’’ said Polly, tearfully. ‘‘ It ’s growing real 
dark, too. What shall we do ? ” 

‘‘ Might as well take in the Pixies’ Carnival,” 
said a familiar voice. 

The girls turned, and there, seated on a plan- 
tain leaf and chewing a bit of mint, was their 
old friend, the Yellow Dwarf! 

‘‘ Why I ” cried Polly. “ How did you get 
here?” 

‘‘ How do I get anywhere ? ” he returned, 
smiling. 

‘^And you ’re just as small as ever,” she con- 
tinued. 

i6i 


POLLY PERKINS* ADVENTURES 


You did n’t tliink I would be any smaller, 
did you ? ” be asked. 

“ Of course not; but I thought everything was 
large up here,” she said. 

“ I don’t notice that you have grown much,” 
he retorted. 

“ Perhaps it ’s because I have n’t been here 
very long,” she replied, rather puzzled. 

. “ I was only teasing,” said he. But you 
should know that a Pixie is always small, no 
matter where he is found, and can go wherever 
he pleases ! 

“ I guess I did know that, if I had stopped 
to think,” said Polly. “ But would you mind 
telling us what you came for, now?” 

“ Not at all,” he returned. ‘‘ I came to invite 
you and Miss Bo-peep to attend our. Midsummer 
Carnival. Will you go ?” 

How I wish we could ! ” she exclaimed. But, 
oh, dear ! we can’t.” 

‘‘ Why not ? ” asked the dwarf. 

162 


BOY BLUE IS FOUND 


‘‘ We promised to stay riglit here till Boy Blue 
came back.” 

‘‘You did? Well, he won’t be here until 
morning,” replied the dwarf, coolly. “I’ve 
taken care of him already.” 

“ Now, what prank have you been up to ? ” 
demanded Bo-peep. 

“ Nothing very bad,” he replied. “ I found 
that young hopeful asleep under a thistle, which 
is against Pixie law, so I ordered him carried to 
one of our underground halls.” 

“And you won’t let him out till morning ? ” 
said Bo-peep. 

“ Not till morning’s rosy light drives away 
the shades of night,” replied the dwarf. 

“ Oh ! I remember, you like to answer in 
rhymes,” said Polly, laughing. 

“Well, it surely is no crime, for a man to 
speak in rhyme,” he answered. 

“ I declare ! ” exclaimed Bo-peep. “ I had 
quite forgotten how shabbily you treated us be- 
fore we came up here.” 


163 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


‘‘ Oil ! that was the rest of the tribe/’ said 
he. ‘‘And, anyway, you may as well let by- 
gones be bygones.” 

“I suppose we might, if we want to go to that 
carnival,” said Bo-peep. 

“ There s one thing you must remember,” 
said the dwarf. “Just as soon as you enter 
Pixieland, you will be as small as any of us.” 

“ I ’m ’most afraid — ” Polly begun ; but some- 
how she seemed to forget what she intended to 
say. Then everything was dark before her 
eyes, and she was borne gently along — she 
could n’t tell how or where, but there was a cool, 
sweet breeze blowing in her face, and she felt 
perfectly happy. 


164 


THE PIXIE CARNIVAL 






CHAPTER XI 
THE PIXIE CARNIVAL 

P OLLY could n’t tell how long they were 
floating in the air, but at last she was 
gently lowered to her feet and her eye- 
sight came back to her. 

The moment she was able to see anything 
she cried out with delight. All around her, 
gaily-colored lanterns were shedding a bright 
light through the mossy glade that the Pixies 
had chosen for their frolic. There was a narrow 
river flowing along on one side, and upon its 
waters were floating a score or more of odd- 
shaped boats, blazing with light and trimmed 
with fluttering ribbons. On the other side 
stretched beds of flowers of many kinds and 
colors. 


167 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


But, after all, it was the rollicking crowd of 
Pixies that delighted her most. There were 
hundreds of them, and they were rigged in all 
sorts of queer costumes, and were cutting up all 
sorts of queer capers. 

With shouts of laughter, they seized upon the 
strangers, now bearing them from one part of 
the grounds to the other, now whirling them 
around in a mad dance, or pelting them with 
sugar-plums as they chased them about. 

Polly enjoyed the fun ; still she was n’t 
sorry when she found herself tripping over the 
grass, hand-in-hand with the dwarf. “ Dear 
me ! I ’m ’most out of breath,” she panted. 

Our folks are rather lively,” said the dwarf. 
“ But they don’t mean any harm.” 

Oh ! I did n’t mind,” she replied. ‘‘‘Only I 
was wishing we could have a sail in one of those 
pretty boats.” 

‘‘And so you shall,” he replied. “ But 
would n’t you like to go and look at the flowers 
first?” 



Polly Perkins — 6. 

“ HUNDREDS OF THEM . . . CUTTING UP ALL SORTS OF QUEER 

CAPERS.” 

169 





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THE PIXIE CARNIVAL 


Eeally, Polly did n’t care very much aoout 
the flowers ; she could see plenty of those any 
time. But she did n’t want to seem rude, so 
she went. 

‘‘ It ’s a real nice garden,” she said, as they 
drew near the flower-beds, “ but how funny to 
have all those little signs stuck up over the 
plants ! ” 

“ Those are labels,” replied the dwarf, ‘Ho let 
people know what they are looking at.” 

“ That ’s a real good idea,” declared Polly. 
“My! what a queer name this one has: DAISY 
ICE CEEAM!” 

“ Taste it,” said the dwarf. 

She picked a blossom and put it in her mouth. 
It melted away like the most delicious ice 
cream. 

“ Why ! I believe it is ice cream I ” she ex- 
claimed. 

“ Have some more,” urged the dwarf. 

Polly plucked a handful of daisies and ate 
171 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


them as fast as she could, to keep them from 
melting. 

PINK CANDY was the label over a bed 
of carnations that bore candy blossoms, and 
SWEET PEAS were as sweet as sweet could 
be, with never a wilted flower. 

Polly thought the very nicest vegetable she 
ever tasted grew under the sign SUGAR 
BEETS. But even that was n’t as wonderful 
as the plant labelled BREAD FRUIT, from 
whose branches hung hot Parker House rolls, 
or the vine close by lettered EGG PLANT, 
which was laden with hard-boiled eggs. 

Last of all was a wonderful fountain, from one 
side of which spouted nice creamy milk, and 
from the other clear lemonade. 

I wish I could get a few of the seeds of these 
plants,” said Polly, when she had had her fill of 
everything good to eat and drink. 

“ Sorry,” replied the dwarf, but our people 
would n’t give them away for love nor money.” 

172 


THE PIXIE CARNIVAL 


** I was afraid they would n’t,” said Polly. 
She was a little disappointed, though. 

‘‘Never mind,” said the dwarf. “I ’ll bring 
you a few candies once in a while. But, now, 
suppose we have that boat-ride.” 

So the little couple went down to the water’s 
edge, and the dwarf helped Polly into the oddest 
and prettiest boat he could find, and away over 
the smooth waters they glided. 

“ I believe I like this best of all,” cried Polly. 
“There is n’t any danger, is there?” 

“ Not a bit,” replied the dwarf. “I’m a 
famous sailor.” 

They got on beautifully till he undertook 
to run a race with another boat. Polly had be- 
come quite excited and was waving her hand- 
kerchief and crying out “bravo!” as they spun 
ahead, when a sudden breeze caught their sails, 
and over went both boats, and into the river 
went their occupants. 

Polly floundered around for a moment, feel- 
ing badly frightened, the river was so deep, 
173 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


away over lier head. Then she scrambled to 
her feet, and, to her surprise, found that the tip 
of her nose just cleared the water. Another 
minute and her whole head was out. Next, the 
water only reached her knees; then she walked 
on shore. 

But now she was surprised again; for there 
stood Bo-peep, wringing the water from her 
dripping skirts. 

Guess that river must be running dry,’’ said 
Polly, who could n’t understand how she got 
out so easily. 

‘‘ Well, it was n’t very dry a minute ago,” 
remarked Bo-peep. ‘‘But it did seem to be 
going down.” 

About that time the dwarf and other Pixies 
who had been overboard swam ashore. Then 
Polly noticed that it was not the river that had 
gone down; but she and Bo-peep had gone up, 
and regained their usual size. 

“ How provoking ! ” said the dwarf. “ I for- 
174 


THE PIXIE CARNIVAL 


got to tell you that you must n’t on any account 
get wet, or you would grow large again.” 

‘‘ But I could n’t very well help getting wet 
when we were upset into the water,” Polly re- 
plied. 

‘‘I suppose not,” acknowledged the dwarf. 

Now, as the spell is broken, I ’ll have to take 
you back to the Beanstalk Country.” 

“So we say, take ’em away!” shouted the 
Pixies, who had gathered around the strangers. 

While the sound of their voices was still 
ringing in her ears, the fantastic little figures in 
the flowery glen faded away, and everything 
blurred before Polly’s eyes as she was borne 
upward. Then all at once she and Bo-peep 
were sitting side by side, leaning against Giant 
Good’s wooden sign in the Beanstalk Country, 
and the sun was shining in their faces. 

“It was very nice, was n’t it?” she said to 
her companion. 

“Very,” responded the shepherdess. “What 
a shame we could n’t stay longer! But perhaps 

II— Polly Perkins. ITC 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


it ’s just as well ; for Boy Blue might have got 
here first if we had n’t come when we did.” 

‘‘Strange that our clothes don’t seem to he 
the least bit wet,” said Polly, smoothing down 
her gown. 

“You needn’t he surprised at anything in 
the Land of Magic,” replied Bo-peep. “ It ’s 
very lucky, though ; for I would n’t for the 
world have Boy Blue know that we had been 
away from here.” 

“ There he comes, this very minute ! ” ex- 
claimed Polly. 

True enough, there he was, coming slowly 
toward them, and dragging two enormous this- 
tles behind him. 

“ I hope you have rested well,” said Bo-peep, 
as the shepherd-boy drew near. 

“ I hope you have,” he retorted. “ Did you 
get very wet?” 

“Why — what — do you know about it?” 
stammered Bo-peep. 


176 


THE PIXIE CARNIVAL 


‘‘ Not SO very much ; only I happened to be 
at the carnival/^ he replied. 

''Oh!” cried the girls. "We did n^t see you.” 

"And I danced with Bo-peep, and I was in 
the boat with her when it tipped over,” he 
added, with a laugh. 

"That rogue of a dwarf!” said Bo-peep. "I 
might have known better than to trust him!” 

" Well, I have a little grudge against him, 
myself,” said Boy Blue. " But I guess it ’s 
about time we were getting started on our jour- 
ney. Have n’t I brought you some fine bal- 
loons?” 

" Beauties,” returned Bo-peep. "There ’s one 
thing I did n’t think of, though. Polly and I 
want to be sure and keep together. How will 
we manage?” 

" Easy enough,” replied Boy Blue. " I ’ll 
get a half-dozen yards of morning-glory vine — 
it ’s as thick as a rope — and fasten one end 
’round your waist, and the other ’round Polly’s. 
Then you can’t lose each other.” 

177 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


‘‘ That ’s a good idea,” said Bo-peep. 

‘‘But how will you come down?” asked 
Polly, anxiously. 

“ Oh ! the Beanstalk road is good enough for 
me,” declared Boy Blue. “I ’ll get down ahead 
of you, most likely.” 

“ Well, I guess we had best be moving,” said 
Bo-peep. 

So the little folks walked over to the J ump- 
ing-Off-Place, and when Polly and Bo-peep 
were comfortably seated on the fluffy thistle- 
downs, Boy Blue pushed them off carefully into 
space. 


178 


POLLY AND BO-PEEP VISIT THE 

MOON 




CHAPTER XII 

POLLY AND BO-PEEP VISIT THE MOON 

T he little travelers shot down so rapidly 
for a moment or so that Polly felt as 
though her head was spinning round 
like a top. Then the queer conveyances 
slackened their speed and skimmed along like 
a couple of birds. 

As soon as she could catch her breath, Polly 
called out to Bo-peep : “ I Ve been thinking of 
something 

‘‘How funny! So have I,” Bo-peep called 
back. 

“ Would n’t it be jolly to stop and call on the 
Moon Man ? ” continued Polly. 

“Just what I was thinking,” returned Bo- 

i8i 


POLLY PERKINS* ADVENTURES 


peep. Only we can’t depend on these thistles, 
to take us exactly where we want to go.” 

‘‘ I do hope the wind will blow the right way,” 
said Polly. 

It ’s a pity we did n’t think to bring along 
a compass,” said Bo-peep. “ We ’ll remember 
that next time.” 

“ But that would n’t make us go right, would 
it ? ” asked Polly. 

Of course, it would n’t make us go any dif- 
ferent,” replied Bo-peep, a little impatiently. 

But we would know what way we were going, 
because the needle always points toward the 
north.” 

“ Yes, I know,” said Polly. ‘‘ I saw a picture 
of one in my geography. But what way ought 
we to go ? ” 

‘‘Well, I ’m not quite sure whether the moon 
is east or west of us, but we ’ll find out when we 
get there.” 

“ I s’pose you could n’t make any mistake 
about that?” asked Polly, rather doubtfully. 

182 


THEY VISIT THE MOON 


‘‘I guess there ’s not much danger of my 
making any mistake/’ responded Bo-peep. ‘‘It ’s 
different with you, of course. Why, dear me ! 
What ’s the matter ? We must have got caught 
in a cloud.” 

And, indeed, they were surrounded by a 
thick, gray vapor, and right ahead of them 
loomed up something tall and broad and dark. 

“ It ’s a great monster rock !” shouted Polly. 

“So it is,” said Bo-peep, putting out one 
hand cautiously against a hard, rough surface. 
“ I wonder how it came here.” 

“You don’t think it could be one of the 
mountains on the moon, do you ? ” asked Polly^ 
hesitating a little. 

“ It is n’t likely that we ’re anywhere near 
the moon,” declared Bo-peep. 

But she was more puzzled than she cared to 
confess, as the thistles drifted around among 
the big rocks — as the travelers thought them — 
that now appeared to be on every side. Little 
by little they were working downward; soon 
183 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


they were below the clouds, then at the foot of 
the mountains, and finally they were hovering 
over a little village. 

A nice, trim village it was, too, though it 
looked strange enough to the strangers, for the 
little, white houses that stood in orderly rows 
were perfectly round. 

‘‘Wonder if anybody lives here?^’ said 
Bo-peep. “ I have n’t seen a person stir- 
ring.’’ 

But in a minute or so the people came pour- 
ing out of their dwellings, and, pointing in the 
air, rushed excitedly about in every direction. 
Polly could n’t think of anything but a lot of 
ants hurrying out of their nests at the approach 
of danger. 

“ I guess they see us ! ” she called to the 
little shepherdess. 

“ Should think they might, unless they’ re 
blind,” responded Bo-peep. 

Quite a crowd had gathered by the time the 
travelers reached the ground, and in the midst 
184 


THEY VISIT THE MOON 


they saw the beaming face of their friend, the 
Moon Man. 

‘‘ There, it is the moon, after all ! ” exclaimed 
Polly. 

What else could it be ? ’’ returned the Moon 
Man, coming to help the strangers dismount. 

Glad to see you. Been on the lookout for you 
ever since you passed by the other day.” 

Your people seem to be on the lookout, too,” 
remarked Bo-peep, glancing rather impatiently 
at the staring crowd. 

“You must excuse them,’’ said the Moon 
Man ; “ they would n’t intend to be rude for the 
whole moon.” 

“ Oh ! I don’t wonder that they want to see 
what ’s going on,” returned Bo-peep, ashamed 
of her sharpness. 

For her part, Polly had been glad of the 
chance to survey these comical little folks. 
They were n’t dwarfs exactly, but the grown-up 
people were no taller than she and her com- 
panion, and their bodies were so thin and their 
185 


POLLY PERKINS* ADVENTURES 


heads were so big and round that they looked 
top-heavy. The children were the dearest and 
tiniest creaures one could imagine. She wished 
she might have one of them for a doll. 

The Moon Man himself came for his share 
of her attention. He was a trifle bigger than 
his countrymen, though not very big at that. 
But he had the very kindest, j oiliest face she 
had seen anywhere. 

‘‘ I hope we did n’t frighten them,” she said, 
pointing toward the people, who were now turn- 
ing toward their homes. 

‘‘ Well, you startled them a bit,” replied he. 
‘‘ i'ou see, it ’s the very flrst time we ever had 
any visitors from another planet; and, besides, 
your way of traveling is rather odd.” 

‘‘I guess it is,” acknowledged Polly but 
we could n’t come any other way.” 

“ Oh ! that ’s all right,” declared the Moon 
Man. ‘‘ You ’re more than welcome, whatever 
way you come. What do you think of our 
country?” 

1 86 


THEY VISIT THE MOON 


It ’s ever so much nicer than I thought it 
would be/’ she answered. “I s’posed it was 
just mountains — no trees — no grass — no folks.” 

Strange notions the earth people have,” said 
he, laughing. ‘‘ I hope you ’ll point out their 
mistakes to them, when you go back.” 

‘‘Yes, indeed, I will,” promised Polly. “You 
have nice buildings and streets and sidewalks, 
just as we do, and lamp-posts, too. Do you 
have gas or electric light?” 

“ Neither,” replied the Moon Man. “ Moon- 
light is good enough for us. You earth people 
only use it part of the time ; so we have a plenty 
for ourselves.” 

“How lovely it must be to have moonlight 
every night!” said Polly. 

“It suits us,” he responded. “We don’t need 
any ice in summer, either. You ’ve heard of 
cold moonbeams, have n’J you?” 

“ I have,” replied Polly, wonderingly. “ But 
I did n’t know they were like ice.” 

“ Of course, they get warmed up before they 
187 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


get down to the earth/’ explained the Moon 
Man. But they ’re tremendously chilly to 
begin with. One good-sized moonbeam will cool 
off a big refrigerator, and it ’s ever so much 
more convenient than ice ; no nasty leaking.” 

“My! how funny!” exclaimed Polly. “And 
then the houses. Won’t you please tell us what 
makes the moon folks build ’em round?” 

“ Maybe it ’s because they don’t build ’em 
square,” he replied, with a jolly laugh. “Beally, 
though,” he added, “it ’s on account of our wet 
moons.” 

“Oh ! I know,” said Polly, eagerly. “Mamma 
always says we ’re having a wet moon when it 
rains a good deal.” 

“ That ’s the idea,” returned the Moon Man. 
“When we have wet weather here the extra 
water runs down on the earth. But before it 
runs away it ’s apt to make things pretty damp 
for us. So we build our houses round ; then 
they shed the water better, something like an 
umbrella, you see.” 


THEY VISIT THE MOON 


guess that ^s a pretty good plan,” said 
Polly. ‘‘ I wonder if it is tlie wet moon that 
makes the Moonflower vines grow so large. They 
seem to be running over everything up here.” 

“ Perhaps,” replied he; ‘‘but the Moonflower 
is our national flower. That is how it comes by 
its name.” 

“Is it?” exclaimed Polly. “Why, we have 
plenty of Moonflowers down on the earth. My 
mamma has 'em.” 

“Don't you suppose I know that?” laughed 
the Moon Man. “ I slid the s6eds down to her 
on a moonbeam one night. It was great sport 
to hear her wondering, afterwards, where those 
vines came from.” 

“ My ! ” cried Polly. “ Do you know my 
mamma?” 

“Is there anyone I don't know?” asked the 
Moon Man. “ I was very well acquainted with 
you long before I saw you riding by with Mother 
Goose.” 

“You were?” gasped Polly. 

189 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


‘‘ Yes, indeed. Many *s the time I Ve looked 
in at your window when you were fast asleep, 
and left a kiss on your lips or cheeks, or even 
on the tip of your nose.” 

‘‘Well, I ’m sprised,” said the little girl, 
“And can you come down any time you please?” 

“Only on my nights off,” he returned. “That 
is, moonlight nights.” 

“It ’s moonlight to-night, is n’t it?” said 
Polly, thoughtfully. 

“Yes,” he replied. “Would you like to send a 
message to any of your friends? I ’ll be your 
messenger if you would.” 

“Oh I I would,” said Polly, delighted. “Let 
me see. I ’ll send Frances a half-dozen kisses.” 

“Very well,” said the Moon Man; “but you ’ll 
have to give ’em to me first, you know.” 

“ I did n’t think of that,” said Polly. 

Then she stood on tip-toe and put three kisses 
on each of the Moon Man’s shining cheeks. 

“ My ! would n’t Frances be s’prised if she 
knew?” said the little girl, gaily. 

190 


THEY VISIT THE MOON 


“ Perhaps you have a message to send, too,'’ 
said the Moon Man to Bo-peep. 

‘‘ Dear me ! ” sobbed Bo-peep, putting her 
apron to her eyes. “ I never had any sister." 

Polly had n't seen Bo-peep in tears since 
she first made her acquaintance, and she felt 
very much troubled. “ Don't cry, dear Bo- 
peep," she said, putting her arm around her 
friend. ‘‘ I '11 have you for my sister.” 

‘‘And you make a very pretty pair," remarked 
the Moon Man, blinking his eyes. 

Bo-peep dried her tears, and said Polly was 
“too sweet for anything." 

Then the Moon Man patted them both on the 
head, and said they were “nice little girls." 

Polly could scarcely keep from laughing at 
that. It was so very funny to be patted on the 
head by someone only a bit taller than herself. 
But she kept her face straight, for fear of hurt- 
ing the feelings of their kind friend. 

“I really wish," he continued, “that you 
would make up your minds to stay up here, and 

12— Polly Perkins. j q j 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


be my little daughters. My wife and I have 
often talked of adopting a little girl or two. 
I know she would be delighted with you. What 
do you say V* 

“ Oh ! Mr. Moon Man, we love you dearly, 
but we — that is — I — could n’t leave papa and 
mamma and Frances,” stammered Polly. 

“And I could n’t leave my sheep,” added Bo- 
peep, hurriedly. 

“ I suppose I ’ll have to let you go, then,” 
said the Moon Man, with a sigh. “ But you 
must come and see me as often as you can.” 

“ We will,” promised Polly. “And, oh ! there ’s 
one thing I forgot to ask you. Is the moon 
really made out of green cheese ? ” 

The Moon Man laughed loud and long. 
“ So you have heard that ridiculous story ! ” 
he responded. “ Suppose you taste it and see.” 

“ I did n’t believe it was,” said Polly. 

“ I declare,” said the Moon Man, looking at 
his watch. “ I had nearly forgotten that I have 
to go and turn on the moonshine for the earth 


192 


THEY VISIT THE MOON 


people. I make it a rule always to be exactly 
on time.^’ 

You must n’t let us binder you at all/’ 
said Bo-peep. 

You ’ll excuse me, won’t you ? But wliy 
can’t you stop over for a few days and get ac- 
quainted with my people ? ” 

The little girls explained that they must go 
right away, for there was a nice breeze blowing, 
and Boy Blue would be waiting for them down 
in Gooseland. 

‘‘ Well, if you must go, I ’ll send a moon- 
beam on ahead to show you the way,” said the 
Moon Man. 

So, as soon as he had helped them onto the 
thistledowns, he hurried away to attend to his 
duties. 

As the little girls floated away from Moon- 
land, they saw him looking after them with his 
broad, kindly smile. 


193 









THEY GO TO THE FAIR 





CHAPTER XIII 


THEY GO TO THE FAIR 

« TT gQ kind of him to send that moon- 

I beam ahead, was n’t it ? ” said Polly as 
they went on their way. 

Well, yes,” said Bo-peep. ‘‘ But then that ’s 
his business, you know.” 

I ’m sure he likes to help people, anyway,’* 
declared Polly. ^‘But, dear me, my eyes feel 
pretty sleepy!” 

‘‘ I don’t believe it would do any harm to 
take a little nap,” replied Bo-peep. 

But Polly had already snuggled down into the 
heart of the thistle, and was going off to sleep 
as fast as she could. She really did n’t know 
what was happening till she felt someone tug- 
197 


POLLY PERKINS* ADVENTURES 


ging at the morning-glory vine, and Bo-peep 
was calling her to wake up. 

It was morning now, and they were traveling 
along very prettily, within sight of the ground. 
Presently the tops of trees and houses canm into 
view. 

‘‘ How good it does seem to see real ground 
again ! ’’ exclaimed Polly. 

‘‘So it does,’’ responded Bo-peep. “ We must 
try and stop, pretty soon.” 

But the thistles did n’t show any signs of 
stopping, and, after flirting around near the 
green fields for awhile, sailed away over a body 
of water. 

“ This must be the ocean, it looks so blue,” 
said Polly. “Would n’t it be just terrible if 
we should come down into it ? ” 

Splash ! dash ! Before she had hardly 
finished speaking the thistles were dipping into 
the water, and salt spray was dashing into the 
faces of the travelers. Polly uttered a little cry 
of terror. 

198 


THEY GO TO THE FAIR 


You need n’t be afraid,” said Bo-peep, blow- 
ing the salt water from her mouth. ‘‘ We 
could n’t drown if we tried to.” 

‘‘We ’re getting our feet dreadfully wet, any- 
way,” whimpered Polly, hardly sure whether 
she ought to be scared or not. 

But, after all, they did n’t seem to be in much 
danger, scudding along before the breeze ; and, 
after the first shock was over, the little voyagers 
quite enjoyed the race with the white-topped 
waves. It was such fun to see a very big 
white-cap rise up as though it was trying to 
catch them, and then sneak away in a streak of 
silvery foam. 

Then, besides, the sea was full of fish of every 
size and shape and color that kept jumping 
around them in the most friendly manner. Polly 
wished so much that she could catch a few of 
them for her aquarium. She almost thought 
she had captured one handsome fellow ; but 
just as her hand closed around his beautiful, 
shining body, he gurgled: “No, I thank you,” 
199 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


and slipped througli her fingers into the spark- 
ling water again. 

“He was too smart for me,” said Polly, 
laughing. After that she contented herself 
with watching the antics of her finny friends. 

“ I 'm glad it ’s such smooth sailing,” re- 
marked Bo-peep. “ I only hope we won’t run 
against anything.” 

Now, it seemed as though when either of 
them mentioned anything that might happen, 
that very thing was sure to happen. For the 
instant that Bo-peep stopped speaking, there 
was a crash and a cry, and no end ot a com- 
motion. They had run against something! And 
they were so close to it that they could n’t tell 
what it was for about forty-five seconds. Then 
a fresh puff of wind raised them a bit, and they 
saw a little tub-shaped boat from which three 
little tub-shaped men were staring up at them 
in astonishment. 

“Anybody would suppose you would know 


200 


THEY GO TO THE FAIR 


enough to keep out of the way!” cried Bo-peep, 
pettishly. 

Polly thought that was a little too had, seeing 
that the boatmen had nearly been tumbled over- 
board in the collision. ‘‘Don’t scold them,” 
she whispered to Bo-peep. “I wonder who 
they are.” 

“ Why, you ought to know,” responded Bo- 
peep. “ Did n’t you ever hear of the Butcher, 
the Baker and the Candlestick-maker?” 

“What! going to the Fair?” said Polly, 
delighted. 

“ That ’s right,” chimed in the little men ; 
“only it was n’t exactly fair for you to try and 
upset us.” 

“We could n’t help it, truly,” explained 
Polly. “We have to go wherever the wind 
drives us.” 

“ Oh, well, it is n’t of any particular conse- 
quence,” said the Baker. 

“No, indeed. Let every tub stand on its own 
bottom,” added the Candlestick-maker. 


201 


POLLY PERKINS* ADVENTURES 


** It ’s real good in you to say so/’ said Polly, 
very glad that their fellow-travelers did not feel 
offended. 

Just then down swooped the thistles again, 
nearly overturning the boat a second time. 

‘‘What do you call those things, anyway?” 
inquired the Butcher, when he had recovered 
his breath. He was almost smothered this 
time. 

“ Why, they ’re thistledowns,” replied Polly ; 
“real nice big ones.” 

“ They ’re big enough, for a fact,” said he. 
“ I thought maybe they were haystacks ! ” 

“ Seems to me it ’s rather crowded for so 
many of us,” remarked the Candlestick-maker. 

“I hope you don’t think we would stay if 
we could help ourselves!” retorted Bo-peep, 
tartly. 

“What ’s the good of being cross?” put in 
the Baker. “Why don’t you come along to 
the Fair with us?” 

“ What kind of a Fair is it?” asked Polly. 


202 


THEY GO TO THE FAIR 


Come and see,’’ returned the Baker, smiling. 

‘‘Don’t you think we might go?” said Polly 
to her companion. 

“Why, I don’t know but that we might,” 
answered Bo-peep, after thinking a minute. 
“ Boy Blue may be waiting for us ; but then he 
can always go to sleep, so it won’t make much 
difference.” 

“Good!” said the Baker. “Now, if you 
don’t mind, I ’ll push these thistles into the 
water, and fasten them so they can’t capsize us. 
Then we can tow you along.” 

“Just as you like,” returned Bo-peep, “as 
long as you don’t capsize 

The thistles were soon fixed to suit every- 
body; then they all traveled along together, 
the little men singing as they rowed : 

“ Rub-a-dub-dub, three men in a tub, 

And right jolly fellows are we : 

Oh ! merrily, oh ! we sing as we go, 

A-sailing across the blue sea.” 

203 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


‘‘I never heard it that way before/’ said 
Polly; ‘‘but it sounds nice.’’ 

The voyage was finished very quietly, and 
before noon they landed on a sandy shore, and 
went at once to the Fair ground. 

Polly did n’t wonder that the Baker refused 
to tell what kind of a Fair it was, for it seemed 
as though there was everything there that ever 
was heard of for the entertainment of the visitors. 
Almost the first thing that attracted her atten- 
tion was the music of a merry-go-round. 

“Want to go a merry round?” asked the 
Butcher of the little girls. 

Of course they did. So Polly was lifted onto 
a meek-looking camel ; close behind was Bo-peep 
on a frisky zebra ; the Butcher chose an 
elephant, the other two mounted a couple of 
rearing ponies. Then the music was turned on, 
and round and round and round they whirled. 

Polly enjoyed the ride so much that she 
could n’t help being sorry when it was ended. 


204 


THEY GO TO THE^FAIR 


I wish we could go round some more/’ she 
sighed. 

She spoke very low, not intending that any- 
one should hear her, so she was completely as- 
tonished when the wooden camel turned his head 
and said : “ Do you, really ? ” 

‘‘Y-e-s,” gasped Polly, almost sure that she 
must have been mistaken, for who ever heard of 
a wooden camel talking! 

‘‘All right. Here goes!” returned the camel, 
humping up his back a little higher, as he 
jumped out of the circle. After him came the 
zebra with Bo-peep, and after the zebra came 
the three little men on their steeds, and away they 
all went at a lively trot. 

Out after them came the owner of the merry- 
go-round and his assistants ; but they might just 
as well — or a little better — have stayed where 
they were and saved their breath, for the animals 
went twice as fast as usual, and went round in 
twice as large a circle. They had to go in a 
circle, you see, because they had got so used to 
205 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


going round that they could n’t go square. 
They kept circling round like this for about ten 
minutes, then the camel trotted back into his old 
place, as meek as a lamb, and the others followed 
after. 

Their owner was very angry, and declared 
that the riders should pay double fare for this 
extra ride. 

‘‘ ’T was well worth the price,” declared the 
little men. So everybody was satisfied, and the 
camel and his followers looked just as wooden 
as ever. 

I believe that is the most wonderful of any- 
thing I have seen in any of these very queer 
countries,” said Polly to Bo-peep, as they walked 
away from the merry-go-round. 

‘‘ You have n’t seen everything yet,” replied 
the shepherdess, mysteriously. 

Pretty soon they came to a booth where were 
toys of all kinds. Now, little girls,” said the 
Candlestick-maker, ‘‘ you may each of you 
206 


THEY GO TO THE FAIR 


select whatever you like best, and I will pay for 
it, whatever the cost/’ 

Polly was pleased, only she could n’t tell what 
pleased her most. She had hardly begun to 
look around before a big French doll called out : 
‘‘ Buy me ; I 'm the prettiest doll in the place ! ” 

‘‘ No, buy me ; ” bawled a rag doll, from a far- 
away corner. I ’m useful, even if I ’m not 
handsome.” 

Upon that a little tin soldier ambled up on 
horseback, and, touching his cap, begged them 
to buy him, while a gingerbread man walked 
stiffly towards them, crying: “ Buy me ; I ’m 
good to eat ! ” 

Then toy dogs barked, toy cats mewed, toy 
roosters crowed, and every toy creature on 
the shelves joined in the chorus till Polly and 
Bo-peep ran away, with their fingers in their 
ears. 

“ Oh, my ! ” exclaimed Polly. I guess 
that ’s wonderfuller ! ” 

‘‘ It ’s noisier, anyway,” returned Bo-peep, 

z^— Polly Perkins, 207 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


laugliing. ‘‘But wliat do you think of this 
little street railway ? ” 

“ What a perfectly dear train of cars ! cried 
Polly, more pleased than ever. 

Eeally it was. There were two tiny open cars 
in front, and a closed car for rainy days on 
behind. A stiff-jointed motorman stood at his 
post on the front platform, and a dummy con- 
ductor was in the rear. 

“Jump on board!” said the Baker; “this is 
my treat.” 

“Won’t you come, too? ’’ asked Polly, hang- 
ing back a little. 

But the little men would n’t ride. “ It ’s only 
for children,” said they. Perhaps they were 
thinking of the performance with the merry-go- 
round. 

Polly and Bo-peep had to hurry, the cars 
were filling so rapidly with juvenile passengers ; 
and they were hardly seated before away 
whizzed the train, guided by the dummy motor- 
man. 


208 



Polly Perkins — 7 , 

“POLLY AND BO-PELP RAN AWAY WITH THEIR FINGERS IN THEIR 


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THEY GO TO THE FAIR 


‘‘Fare, please/^ said the dummy conductor, 
holding out his hand. 

“Would you tell us where we are going?” 
asked Polly, as she handed him her dime. 

“ How should I know ? ” he answered, shortly. 
“It ’s my business to ring up fares.” 

“ I b’lieve conductors generally don’t like to 
answer questions,” remarked Polly to her 
friend. 

“ Never mind,” said Bo-peep. “ Wherever 
we ’re going, we ’ll get there pretty soon at this 
rate.” 

Too soon, Polly thought, for she did n’t like 
traveling quite so fast. But they kept going faster 
and faster, till the train was rocking from side 
to side like a rocking-chair, and the girls could 
hardly keep their seats. 

“Whatever is the matter?” cried Polly, so 
frightened that she ventured to speak again to 
the crusty conductor. 

“ Train running away — that ’s all^” he jerked 
out in reply. 


2II 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


‘‘ But there something on the track, ahead,” 
said Bo-peep. “What are you going to do 
about it?’’ 

“ None of my business,” replied he, stolidly. 

Wooden-headed creature I ” exclaimed Bo- 
peep, not very politely. 

Polly did n’t say anything, but she shut her 
eyes, for she was sure something dreadful was 
going to happen. 

It was n’t more than a minute before, with a 
bump and a thump, over went the train, all in a 
heap, and out went the passengers, screaming 
and scolding. 

Polly and Bo-peep picked themselves up, very 
glad to find that they were more scared than 
hurt. Near by them sat the conductor, staring 
at the wreck. 

“ Why don’t you stir your boots ? ” demanded 
Bo-peep, indignantly. 

“ Can’t. All broke up ! ” he replied. “Wish 
you ’d let me know if you see anything of my 


212 


THEY GO TO THE FAIR 


legs. Awfully inconvenient getting along with- 
out ’em.’’ 

Then Polly noticed that the poor fellow’s 
legs were both broken short off, close to his 
wooden body. 

‘‘ Lookout for the motorman’s head, too,” he 
added. ‘‘ That ’s lying round loose some- 
where.” 

Is n’t it terrible !” gasped Polly. 

“They don’t mind,” said Bo-peep. “They 
have n’t any feeling.” 

“ That ’s all you know about it,” interrupted 
the conductor. “ It makes us awfully uncom- 
fortable.” 

Bo-peep looked as though she did n’t believe 
that statement ; but before she had time to dis- 
pute it up came the little men in a great panic 
for fear the girls were hurt ; and close on their 
heels came the ambulance, with doctors and 
nurses. Strange to say, nobody was any the 
worse for the accident, excepting the motorman 
213 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


and conductor, who were carried off on stretchers, 
after being treated to a little glue. 

Now, we would n’t want to hurry you,” said 
the little men to Polly and Bo-peep, “ but we 
have to be going.” 

The girls concluded they had had quite enough 
of the Fair for this time, so they all walked down 
to the shore together. The boat and thistles 
were just where they had been left, and there was 
nothing to prevent the party from taking their 
leave at once. 

“But, oh, dear!” said Polly, “we don’t want 
to cross the water again, and there is n’t a speck 
of a breeze. I don’t know how we are ever going 
to get started.” 

“ I daresay I could give you a lift,” said the 
Baker. “ I brought along my bellows.” 

“ Bellows ? ” exclaimed Polly. “ How funny I ” 

“Not at all,” returned the Baker. “How 
could I blow the fire to heat the oven to bake 
the bread without ’em?” 

That was too hard a question for Polly to 

214 


THEY GO TO THE FAIR 


answer, so she did n’t try. She did want to ask 
where the oven and bread were, but she had 
learned by this time that it was n’t always best 
to show too much curiosity, so she only said, 
“We would be ever so much obliged if you would 
help us.” 

After the little men had shaken hands with 
the girls, the Baker wanted to know if they 
were ready to be blown up, and when they said 
they were, he put the nozzle of the bellows 
under the thistles and began to pump with a 
right good will. Polly could n’t help thinking 
that he was rather glad they did n’t want to 
travel by water again, and perhaps she was 
right, for the thistles had been uncommonly 
troublesome. 

It was n’t long before they began to move 
slowly upward, and, once fairly started, they 
soared away like twin birds again. 

“ They were real good, were n’t they ? ” said 
Polly, when the last good-bye had been shouted 
to the little men in the tub-shaped boat. 

215 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


‘‘ Good enough/’ replied the shepherdess, 
but no better than they ought to have been.” 

“We could n t have gone to the Fair if it 
had n’t been for them,” continued Polly, “ and 
that was just lovely. Only I ’most wish we 
had n’t stayed so long, for it ’s getting dark.” 

“ We must keep awake,” cautioned Bo-peep, 
“ so as to be on the lookout for a nice place to 
^ come down.” 

“Yes, we must,” agreed Polly. But, after 
all, she must have lost herself, for the very 
next thing she knew Bo-peep was crying : 
“ Open your eyes and see where we are ! ” 

216 


THEY ALIGHT IN GOOSELAND 



CHAPTER XIV 
THEY ALIGHT IN GOOSELAND 

P OLLY winked and blinked a few times, 
and looked round in a balf-dazed way. 
It was broad daylight, and the thistles 
were bobbing up and down over something that 
appeared to be the roof of a small house. 
« Why ! we have come down, have n’t we ? ” 
she said. 

‘‘ Pretty nearly,” replied Bo-peep. I think 
we ’d better get somewhere before these bal- 
loons fly off again.” 

‘‘ That roof looks pretty slippery,” said Polly, 
faintly. 

‘‘ Pshaw ! ” returned Bo-peep, impatiently. 
“Just look at me.” She caught hold of the 
219 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


chimney with one hand, as she spoke, and slid 
down onto the ridge-pole. Polly had to follow, 
for the morning-glory rope around her com- 
panion’s waist was pulling her along ; so soon 
there were two little girls sitting side by side on 
the ridge-pole — they did n’t dare try to walk on 
the slippery roof — waiting for someone to find 
them. The thistles, of course, had flown away 
by themselves, so the girls could n’t do anything 
but wait. 

“ I ’most believe there is n’t anybody living 
in this house,” sighed Polly, after a few moments 
had passed. 

“Nonsense!” responded Bo-peep. “What 
are houses for? Suppose we rap our heels on 
the roof, then they ’ll come to see what ’s the 
matter.” 

Then both little girls tapped their little heels 
against the tin roof, making a dreadful din, and 
it was n’t more than two minutes before they 
heard a woman’s voice calling, “ I ’ll come right 
up there and attend to you.” 


220 


THEY ALIGHT IN GOOSELAND 


Oh, dear ! ’’ whispered Polly, “ I wonder 
what she means by ‘ tending ’ to us.” 

“ Maybe she takes us for burglars,” said Bo- 
peep ; “ but she ’ll find herself nicely mistaken.” 

Polly was n t at all sure that that would mend 
matters any, and she nearly fell off the ridge- 
pole when she espied a head coming up through 
the scuttle near the chimney. But she got over 
her fright as soon as she saw the face that was 
turned toward them. She had seen that beak- 
like nose, that pointed chin, and the twinkling 
eyes that peered out through enormous steel- 
bowed spectacles before, though she could n’t for 
the life of her remember where. 

“ What under the sun are you young ones up 
to now? ” ejaculated the woman. 

“We ’re up to your roof,” answered Bo-peep ; 
“but we would like to come down if you are 
willing.” 

The woman stood looking at them for a 
minute or so. “ Why, I don’t believe I know 
you,” she said at last. “ I thought at first 


221 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


you belonged to me, but, I declare, I Ve got 
so many children I don^t know which is 
which.” 

All at once Polly recollected where she had 
seen that face. “ Oh ! ” she cried, ‘‘ are you 
the — the — Woman that lives in a Shoe?” 
(She thought it would n’t sound polite to say 
Old Woman) . 

That ’s what they call me,” replied the 
woman, shortly — ‘‘ The Old Woman that lives 
in a Shoe.” 

‘'But you don’t live in a shoe?” said Polly, 
enquiringly. 

“ You ought to have more sense than to ask 
such a question,” returned the woman. “ Does 
it stand to reason that anybody — especially with 
a family — could live in a shoe ? ” 

“ N-o-o,” stammered Polly, “ but that ’s 
what I always read.” 

“ I suppose it must pay pretty well to print 
things that ain’t true,” said the woman. “ But I 
don’t know as that ’s your fault, so come right 


222 


THEY ALIGHT IN GOOSELAND 


down and have some dinner while you tell me 
how you came here.’^ 

She lifted the little strangers off the roof so 
gently, and listened so kindly to their story 
while they were eating a nice hot dinner, and 
seemed so good-natured with the jolly youngsters 
that were frolicking round the house, that Polly 
could n’t help asking, “ Do you really whip 
them all soundly and send them to bed ? ” 

Their new friend laughed till her specs fell 
off. Of course they go to bed every night — 
most children do — and I spank ’em when 
they ’re naughty. But they ’re pretty good 
children, after all.” 

Polly was relieved to hear this. But I ’m 
getting dreadfully mixed up,” she confessed. 
‘‘ So many things are different from what I ’ve 
heard and read.” 

There was only one thing that troubled the 
little travelers now; their new friend, in the 
kindness of her heart, declared that they were 
altogether too young to be traipsing round by 

223 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


themselves, and that she would keep them till 
their friends came to find them. 

“ I ’m ’fraid we shall make you a good deal 
of trouble,’’ ventured Polly, who did n’t at all 
fancy the notion of having their travels cut short 
in this manner. 

“ Not a bit of it,” declared the woman. 
‘‘When a body has a family like mine, two 
more don’t count.” 

There was no help for it. The girls could n’t 
get away; for their guardian would n’t allow 
them out of her sight ; so stay they must. How- 
ever, they managed to have a pretty good time 
with the big family of little folks till dark. 
Then they all had supper together — something 
besides “broth and bread,” too — after which 
they were tucked into bed with a half-dozen of 
their young playmates, and speedily fell asleep. 

But someway Polly did n’t sleep very soundly. 
Perhaps it was on account of going to bed so 
early, or, perhaps, it was owing to the piece of 
mince-pie she ate with her supper. At any 
224 


THEY ALIGHT IN GOOSELAND 


rate, she woke up in the middle of the night, 
and saw really the strangest-looking creature 
beside the bed. It looked something like a 
horse ; but it had horns, and, besides, a trunk 
like an elephant’s, only smaller. Before Polly 
had time to feel frightened, this funny creature 
reached out his trunk and lifted her right up 
onto his back. Then he reached for Bo-peep 
and took her up, too. This done, he climbed 
out of the window without making the least 
noise, and galloped off at a breakneck pace. 
Polly held on to his mane with both hands to 
keep from falling off, and Bo-peep held fast to 
Polly. 

On and on the strange steed galloped, never 
halting for an instant. Polly hoped he was 
carrying them in the direction they wanted to 
go ; but, of course, she could n’t be sure of that. 
She tried to tell him that they wanted to find 
the Beanstalk; but he paid no heed to what she 
said. At last, just as day was breaking, he 
dashed up to a green bank by the wayside, and 

14— Polly Perkins. 225 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


tossed liis little riders off into the tall grass. 
Another moment, and he was on his way again, 
snorting and prancing like a horse fresh from 
the stable. 

‘‘Well, I never!’’ exclaimed Polly, as soon as 
she could speak. “Whatever do you think it 
was?” 

“Cant be certain,” replied Bo-peep; “but it 
seems to me like a Night Mare.” 

“My!” said Polly, “I never s’posed there 
was any such thing as a ‘truly’ Night Mare. 
I wonder what the Woman in the Shoe will say 
when she finds we have gone.” 

But Bo-peep made no reply. She seemed to 
be in a brown study. 


226 


POLLY AND BO-PEEP ARE LOST 








CPIAPTER XV 

POLLY AND BO-PEEP ABE LOST 

P OLLY now began to wonder where they 
were. On looking about she saw that 
they were surrounded on every side by 
tall trees. 

‘‘This is a forest, is n’t it?” she said to Bo- 
peep, in surprise. 

“It certainly is,” replied the shepherdess, “and 
I wish we were well out of it.” 

“We can find the way, can’t we?” asked 
Polly, a little fearfully. 

“ Of course,” responded Bo-peep ; “ only it 
won’t do for us to sit here. We must be 
moving.” 

It was one thing to move and quite another 

229 


POLLY PERKINS* ADVENTURES 


tiling to find what they were looking for — the 
right way; and the further they walked the 
further they seemed to be getting from every- 
body and everything. It did n’t make any dif- 
ference which direction they went, every path 
they tried led them further into the wilderness. 
Finally, Bo-peep stopped, and, declaring she 
was too tired to walk another step, threw herself 
down on the mossy ground. 

Polly saw that her friend was worried for 
once, and that worried her. They were now so 
completely shut in by trees that it did n’t seem 
possible that they could ever find the way out. 
Perhaps she and Bo-peep would be left to die 
like the Babes in the Wood, whose sad story 
her mamma had read to her over and over again. 
She thought how sorry Boy Blue would feel 
when he came and found them lying there — 
that is, if he ever did find them — and the 
thought almost made her cry. In fact, the tears 
were beginning to roll down her cheeks, and 
she was almost ready to boo-hoo, when there 

230 


POLLY AND BO-PEEP ARE LOST 


was a sound like tlie creaking of wheels in the 
distance. 

“ I do believe there ’s somebody coming ! ’’ 
cried Bo-peep, jumping up and running to look 
through the bushes. 

Polly followed after, drying her eyes as she 
went — for she did n’t want Bo-peep to know 
she was so near crying — and they both stood 
looking anxiously in the direction from which 
the sound appeared to come. 

‘‘ Do you s’pose it ’s a carriage ? ” asked 
Polly. 

Bo-peep laughed. ‘‘What would a carriage 
be doing here ? ” she returned. “ More likely 
it s a teamster with his cart. If it is, we can 
get a ride.” 

Nearer and nearer sounded the creaking, and 
then they heard somebody shouting, as they 
thought, and finally they could see something 
coming. 

“ Why ! it ’s only a wheelbarrow ! ” exclaimed 
Polly, in disappointment. 

231 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


And so it was, and the oddest-looking man 
pushing it. He was tall, oh ! so tall ! with thin 
body and spindle legs, and he was dressed like 
an overgrown boy in knee breeches, a short, 
loose blouse, wide, white collar, and round, tall 
cap. The barrow was a brand-new one, painted 
bright red, and its single wheel made noise 
enough for a dozen wheels. Its owner was sing- 
ing — or rather bawling — in a loud voice : 

When I was a little lad, 

And lived by myself, 

All the bread and cheese I got 
I put upon the shelf. 

Oh ! the rats and the mice 
Were very well fed. 

For they nibbled my cheese, 

And they ate up my bread. 

Now the rats and the mice 
Are the plague of my life. 

So I have to go to London 
To bring me a wife.” 


The singer had quite finished this ditty before 
he noticed the little girls, and on seeing them he 
dropped the handles of the barrow in astonish- 

232 


POLLY AND BO-PEEP ARE LOST 


ment. ‘‘ I would n’t wonder, now, if you were 
lost,” said he, after looking them over. 

‘‘ I would n’t wonder if you were,” retorted 
Be-peep. 

The fellow grinned sheepishly, “If you 
must know, miss,” replied he, “ I ^m going to 
London to buy me a wife.” 

“ Oh ! I ’ve heard all about you ! ” cried 
Polly. “ You Te in a book, you know.” 

“ I know I ’m not in a book,” declared the 
man. “ I ’m right here, on solid ground.” 

“ Oh ! I mean I read about you in a book,” 
laughed Polly. 

“ That ’s very strange,” returned he. “ I 
never heard or read anything about you. 
Where might you be going ? ” 

“ We might be going your way, if you wanted 
company,” answered Bo-peep. 

“ Two ’s company, three ’s a crowd,” said the 
man. “ However, I don’t mind, so jump into 
the barrow and I ’ll take you along.” 

“What, to London?” asked Polly. “I wonder 
233 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


if it would be much further for us to go that 
way?” 

‘‘ The longest way round is the nearest way 
home, don^t you know ? ” suggested the man. 

“ Your barrow looks kind of tipsy,” said 
Polly, doubtfully. I ’m Traid you might sjull 
us, same ’s you did your wife.” 

“ Not a bit of danger,” he replied. 

I guess we might risk it,” said Bo-peep. 

I don’t b’lieve it would hurt us very much 
if we did tip over,” remarked Polly. So she 
and her friend squeezed themselves into the 
narrow box of the barrow, and their new 
acquaintance took up the handles and trotted 
off, singing as he went. 

The little travelers were so tired that they 
thought themselves lucky to be carried, even 
in a barrow. But they soon found that a 
one-wheeled conveyance did n’t move any too 
steadily, and, besides, the path was far from 
smooth, so from the first it was pretty rough 
riding. 


234 


POLLY AND BO-PEEP ARE LOST 


I guess I don’t care ’bout going to London, 
after all,” said Polly to her companion, after a 
half-hour of tiresome jolting. 

‘‘All right,” responded the shepherdess. 
“We ’ll get out the first chance we have.” 

Polly wondered when that would be, for the 
man never stopped to rest a minute, and by the 
way he rattled them over the sticks and stones 
she thought he must have forgotten that he had 
any passengers. At any rate, he did n’t once 
look at them, and he kept up such a shouting 
all the time that they could n’t make him hear 
when they tried to let him know that they 
wanted him to stop. The way was growing 
rougher all the time, too, so the little girls had 
to hold tightly to the sides of the barrow to keep 
from being thrown out. 

“Dear me!” gasped Polly. “I don’t b’lieve 
I ’ll have any breath left if we don’t stop pretty 
soon.” 

“We must stop, or we ’ll be bounced to 
235 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


deatli/^ said Bo-peep, very decidedly. ‘‘ I ’m 
going to — ” 

But what she was going to do Polly never 
knew, for just then the barrow upset, and the 
girls were tumbled into a ditch. Of course, 
they both screamed, and the man stopped and 
stood looking anxiously at them, still holding 
onto the handles of the overturned barrow. 

Bo-peep began to scold him soundly for his 
carelessness. pretty way to treat us,^’ she 

complained. Shaking us nearly to pieces, and 
then tipping us out like that ! ” 

I declare, I never thought of your going out 
so easy,’’ said he, seeming to be much surprised. 

We did n’t go out easy, not a bit,” responded 
Bo-peep, rubbing her elbow that had been 
scraped in the fall. “ It ’s a wonder that all our 
bones are not broken.” 

‘‘Awfully sorry!” said the man, as he pulled 
them out of the ditch. “ But all ’s well that 
ends well, and, as I happen to be in a particular 
hurry, we may as well go on.” 

236 


POLLY AND BO-PEEP ARE LOST 


“No, thank you,” replied Bo-joeep. “We 
don’t care to ride further.” 

“I ’d just as lief take you to London,’’ urged 
the man. 

“We would n’t just as lief go,” retorted Bo- 
peep, indignantly. 

“ Well, I must be off, anyway,” he returned. 
So away he went, bawling at the top of his voice. 

Now, Polly had quite enough of riding for the 
present, but still she was sorry to see the last 
of this new acquaintance. “ How will we ever 
get out by ourselves ? ” she asked. 

“ Oh ! that ’ll be all right,” responded Bo- 
peep. “We ’re nearly out now. That path 
over there leads right to the road, unless I ’m 
mistaken.” 

She was mistaken. The path she had pointed 
out ended in a clump of bushes. Then they 
espied another that led them to the border of a 
deep pool. Another brought them up against 
a steep mountain-side. 

“ Oh, dear I It ’s just as bad as it was before 
237 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


tlie man came,” groaned Polly. “ I wish we 
had n’t let him go away without us.” 

‘‘ Don’t worry,” said Bo-peep. I know what ’s 

the matter.” 

What?” asked Polly. 

“This is an enchanted forest,’^ replied Bo- 
peep, quite cheerfully, “and we may as well 
stop trying to get out.” 

“Dear me!” exclaimed Polly. “Do you 
mean that we have to stay here always?” 

“Don’t be such a goose,” advised Bo-peep. 
“I mean that we ’ve got to wait till something — 
or somebody — happens to help us.” 

Polly felt very downcast at this news. “ Do 
you s’pose it will be very long?” she asked in a 
troubled voice. 

“ I don’t think so,” responded Bo-peep. “ We 
might pick some of these dandelions and curl 
the stems while we ’re waiting.” 

Polly noticed then, for the first time, that the 
ground was thickly sprinkled with these bright 
yellow fiowers. There was a long-stemmed one, 
238 


POLLY AND BO-PEEP ARE LOST 


with a particularly large blossom, growing close 
to the toe of her shoe, which Polly thought she 
would like to have. But, just as she reached 
for it, a shrill voice piped out : Oh-h-h ! Don’t 
pick me ! ” 

Polly started back in amazement, looking all 
around to see where the voice came from. There 
was no one but Bo-peep to be seen ; but she 
heard a chuckling laugh, as though somebody 
was having a little sport at her expense. 

After hesitating for a moment she stooped 
again toward the flower; but, as her fingers 
closed over it, she heard again the cry : “ Don’t 
pick me ! Oh ! Oh ! ’’ 

“ It ’s very queer,’’ said she, too bewildered 
to move. 

It certainly was queer, though not half as 
queer as what happened next; for, while her 
eyes were still fixed on the dandelion, the golden 
blossom turned to a saucy, smiling face, the 
stem shot up and broadened, and there stood the 
Yellow Dwarf, bowing and smiling ! 

239 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


‘‘Why! where did you come from?” cried 
Polly. 

“ You ought to know,” he chuckled. “ You 
saw me coming.” 

“ For my part,” put in Bo-peep, “ I wish you 
had stayed away.” 

The little fellow threw back his head and 
laughed. “Very well,” said he. “I knew 
somebody had to come and break the spell, or 
you would never get out of here. But I ’ll go, 
if you say the word.” 

“ Oh, don’t go I ” coaxed Polly. 

“ You may as well stay, seeing that you are 
here,” added Bo-peep, rather more graciously. 

“As you please,” said the dwarf, with a 
flourish. 

“Won’t you tell me what is a asked 

p.ib- 

“ We-1-1,” replied the dwarf, slowly, “I can’t 
exactly explain it ; but it ’s something that 
keeps you from finding your way out of here 
alone.” 


240 


POLLY AND BO-PEEP ARE LOST 


‘‘I wish you ’d break it quick, then,” said 
Polly; ^‘for I expect Boy Blue is feeling awfully 
worried about us/’ 

‘‘I can break it in just no time,” declared the 
little fellow. ‘‘We must join hands and dance 
round in a circle.” 

“ Nothing very wonderful about that,” sniffed 
Bo-peep. 

“ But that ’s only half,” continued the dwarf. 
“ Listen to what I say. That ’s what breaks 
the spell. You want to remember the exact 
words, so if you need to use them again.” 

“ Then, as they tripped lightly over the 
flowery sod, he repeated in a sing-song tone: 

“ Dandelions, curling-irons, 

Spoons, and knives and forks; 

Peanut brittle, Chicken Little, 

Humming-birds and storks. 

“ Cannon-balls, heavy squalls. 

Harps and violins ; 

Pouring rains, hurricanes. 

Reels and rolling-pins.” 

Pound and round they whirled ; and as they 

Polly Perkins, 24 1 


POLLY PERKINS* ADVENTURES 


whirled the wind began to sigh through the 
trees, and the trees began to bend and bow 
before the wind, and directly the little folks 
were caught up and blown through the air, still 
circling round and round. 

Polly was frightened at first ; for she thought 
surely they would be dashed against the trees. 
But, no; the branches parted and let them 
through every time, and then closed after them 
as solid as before, so that when they finally 
alighted in an open field not one of them had a 
cut or a scratch to show that they had made a 
journey through the tree-tops. 

“ Was n’t that a pretty good break ? ” asked 
the dwarf, when they had got their breath again. 

‘‘ I don’t see how you ever did it,” said Polly. 
‘‘We thank you very much, don’t we?” turning 
to Bo-peep. 

“ Oh ! I suppose so,” replied the shepherdess, 
looking a little dissatisfied. 

“Don’t mention it,” returned the dwarf. “I ’ll 
have to ask you to excuse me now. Farewell.” 

242 


POLLY AND BO-PEEP ARE LOST 


Polly was looking right at him, when she saw 
only a dandelion where he had stood. The 
stem grew shorter and shorter till only the blos- 
som was left above ground. Then that, too, 
disappeared, and the Yellow Dwarf was out of 
sight. 









MARGERY DAW 






CHAPTER XYI 
MARGERY DAW 

“ T DID N’T tliink lie would go all at once,” 

I said Polly, regretfully. ‘‘ I ’m ’fraid I 
can’t remember what he said to break 
the spell.” 

‘‘It was just perfect nonsense, anyway,” de- 
clared Bo-peep. 

“But it broke it all right, did n’t it?” insisted 
Polly. 

“ Well, maybe,” owned the shepherdess. “ But 
what are we to do here in this held without a 
house in sight ? ” 

“ Seems to me, I see something that looks like 
a house over there,” said Polly, shading her 
eyes from the sun. 


247 


POLLY PERKINS* ADVENTURES 


“ Perhaps it is/’ answered Bo-peep, after she 
had looked in the direction pointed out by 
her friend. 

It was, indeed, a very pretty little cottage, 
in a bower of vines and shrubs, as the girls 
found on drawing nearer. There was no one 
to be seen from the outside, but a pleasant voice 
called out : “ Come in ! ” when the visitors rapped 
on the door. Entering the living-room, they saw 
a very pretty girl seated by the window, gazing 
into a small hand-mirror. 

‘‘ I should think you might take the trouble 
to come to the door when anybody knocks,” 
grumbled Bo-peep. 

‘‘ Pshaw ! ” exclaimed the girl, impatiently. 
‘‘ Now I Ve got to begin all over again. But 
never mind,” she added; “you could n’t be ex- 
pected to know any better.” 

‘'What are you talking about?” demanded 
Bo-peep. “What have you got to do over 
again ?” 

“It ’s about the mirror,” answered the girl. 

248 


MARGERY DAW 


I was just going to see something nice when 
you broke the spell/’ 

‘‘My!” exclaimed Polly, “is there a spell 
here, too ? ” 

Bo-peep nudged Polly and whispered : “ I 
really believe this is Margery Daw ! ” 

“ Yes, I am Margery,” said the girl, who had 
overheard the whisper, “ though I don't see how 
you happened to know me.” 

“It was the looking-glass,” explained Bo-peep. 
“ Everybody knows — ” 

“Oh!” interrupted Polly, “did you sell your 
bed and lie upon grass so as to buy yourself a 
looking-glass ? ” 

“Suppose I did,” replied Margery, smiling, 
and showing two dimples in her round, pink 
cheeks. “ Is n’t nice, sweet straw ever so much 
better for a bed than musty, fusty feathers ?” 

“I guess it is,” acknowledged Polly, “only 
it seemed kind of queer for you to do that.” 

“I don’t think so,” returned Margery. “I ’ll 
tell you something else — I ’m going to sell 
249 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


my kitchen clock, and buy myself a silken 
frock.’’ 

“ Do you want a silk gown so much ? ” asked 
Polly, wonderingly. 

Margery blushed at this question. “You 
see, I ’m going to be man-ied,” replied she ; 
“ and who ever heard of a bride without a silk 
dress ? ” 

“ My !” cried Polly, “are you going to marry 
anybody we know ? 

“I daresay you Ve heard of Bobby Shafto?” 
answered Margery. 

“ Yes, indeed,” said Polly. “ He s the one 
that went to sea, is n’t he ? ” 

“ The very same,” replied Margery. “ He 
went to sea, and now he has seen all there is to 
see, he ’s coming back to see me.” 

“I s’pose he ’ll bring you lots of nice things?” 
said Polly. 

“ Of course,” returned Margery — 

Gold and silver, jewels rare, 

Bonny ribbons to tie my hair, 

250 


MARGERY DAW 


Combs and fans, and finest lace, 

Parasols to shade my face, 

My true love will bring to me 
When he comes saiUng o’er the sea.” 

“I s’pose you do need a silk dress, tlien,^’ 
said Polly. 

‘‘To be sure,’’ returned Margery. “But I 
started to explain about this glass. Perhaps 
you think it 's a common glass.” 

“Uncommonly common,” remarked Bo-peep, 
slyly. 

“ Well, that ’s where you ’re mistaken,” re- 
sponded Margery. “ It is a magic glass !” 

“ I wonder how you came by a magic glass?” 
said Bo-peep, doubtfully. 

“ Never mind how I came by it. I have it, 
as you can see for yourself.” 

“ That ’s how there happens to be a spell 
about it,” said Polly, triumphantly. “I wish 
we could look in it.” 

“That ’s just what I want you to do,” replied 
Margery. “And if there is anyone whom you 

251 


POLLY PERKINS* ADVENTURES 


wish very much to see, all you have to do is 
to think of that person before you look in.” 

‘‘And will we know where he is?” asked 
Polly, eagerly. 

“ Yes, and that is n’t all. If you look in the 
glass for three minutes without winking or 
speaking, you will find yourself wherever you 
wish to be.” 

“Goody!” cried Polly. “Now we can find 
Boy Blue, right away.” 

“ Don’t be in too much of a hurry,” cautioned 
Margery. “You have but one chance in twenty- 
four hours, so you must be careful to do exactly 
as I tell you. 

“ Open your eyes and shut your mouth ; 

Turn three times and face the south ; 

Let your eyes wide open he. 

Ready, steady, one — two — three ! ” 

When Polly first looked into the mirror she 
saw her own reflection ; but in an instant that 
faded away, and Boy Blue appeared in sight. 
He seemed to be walking along a dusty road- 

252 


MARGERY DAW 


side that was familiar to her. His face was 
troubled, and every now and then he stopped 
and looked behind him. She knew that he 
was searching for Bo-peep and herself, and she 
could hardly help calling out that they were 
near, although she knew that she ought to keep 
quiet on account of that spell that must n't be 
broken quite yet. She felt as though she 
could n’t possibly keep from speaking much 
longer, when all at once he took off his hat and 
waved it over his head, and then came running 
toward her, crying how glad he was to find her, 
and asking for Bo-peep. 

Polly was delighted to see him, too, though 
she did n’t dare answer till she had taken a 
good look around, and made sure that she was 
really out on the highway, and not in Margery 
Daw’s cottage. About that time Bo-peep came 
hurrying after her, so she knew it was safe to 
speak. Such a chattering as there was for the 
next half hour! The little girls had to tell their 
friend all about the happenings of the last two 
253 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


days, and he had some adventures to relate, too, 
though he owned that he had slept quite a good 
deal. 

Had to do something to pass away the time, 
you know,” he said. ‘^But, ’pon my word, I 
believe you girls have seen about everybody 
who is worth seeing. I m sure I don^t know 
where to take you next.’’ 

Polly considered for a moment. “ I do want 
ever so much to see Cinderella,” she said. 

Why, of course,” responded Boy Blue. “ I 
had forgotten about her. I think that can be 
managed.” 

Let ’s go to the Prince’s Ball ! ” interrupted 
Bo-peep. 

But we have n’t been invited,” objected 
Polly. 

“ That does n’t make any difference. People 
go where they please here,” rejoined Bo-peep. 

^^And where they don’t please, sometimes,” 
said Polly, with a laugh. “ But I would love 
dearly to go to the ball.” 

254 


MARGERY DAW 


^^Then suppose we begin to go,” said Boy 
Blue, offering an arm to each of the little 
maidens. 

255 







THE PRINCE’S BALL 


ib—Pollv Perkins. 





CHAPTER XVII 


THE PEINCE S BALL 

T he happy trio journeyed along leisurely, 
once in awhile stopping to speak to some 
of Boy Blue’s or Bo-peep’s acquaintances. 
Polly thought it great fun when they met Peter 
Piper, and were treated to some of his famous 
pickled peppers, though, as she said, they were 
‘‘a little mite smart.” 

But before they had nearly finished their 
journey it began to grow dusky, and they were 
so tired that they could hardly drag themselves 
along. Every few moments a fine carriage, filled 
with elegantly dressed gentlemen and ladies, 
would roll past, raising a cloud of dust that nearly 
hid the foot-passengers from sight. 

guess our clothes won’t look very nice,” 
259 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


said Polly, switching her dress with her hand- 
kerchief. 

“ This dust is dreadful,’^ responded Bo-peep. 
‘‘ It ’s a shame we can’t ride in a fine carriage 
like the rest of ’em.’’ 

If only we could see the Fairy Godmother!” 
sighed Polly. 

‘‘Who said Fairy Godmother?” cried a shrill 
voice. And, before anybody could speak, there 
stood the dearest, quaintest, little dame, right 
before the face and eyes of the greatly astonished 
travelers. 

“Do you always come so sudden, ma’am?” 
asked Polly, so taken by surprise that she said 
the first thing that came into her head. 

But the Fairy Godmother — for it was really 
she — was n’t angry at all. “ My dear,” she said, 
“ did n’t you know that a favor quickly done is 
twice done?” 

“ Seems to me I ’ve heard something like 
that,” answered Polly; “I’m sure you were 
ever so good to come.” 


260 


THE PRINCESS BALL 


Well, now that I have come, what can I do 
for you?’’ asked the Fairy, looking from one 
to another of the little folks. 

‘‘We all want new clothes,” said Bo-peep. 

“And a carriage,” chimed in Boy Blue. 

“We would like an invitation to the Prince’s 
Ball, if you please,” said Polly, seeing that the 
Fairy was looking at her. 

“Of course, the tickets should come first,” 
responded the Fairy, taking some plain white 
cards from a satchel she carried on her arm. 

“ Now for the dress,” she continued. “I sup- 
pose you want to go in character?” 

The little folks looked at each other for an 
instant, and then Bo-peep replied “ Yes,” 
though, to tell the truth, she did n’t know any 
more than did her companions what the Fairy 
meant. But it was n’t long before they found 
out. 

No sooner had the magic wand of the little 
dame touched the garments of the shepherdess 
than they changed to delicate silk and airy gos- 
261 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


samer, though their shape remained the same. 
Silver spangles shone in her dark curls; on 
her dainty feet were kid slippers, and a crook, 
twined with flowers and tipped with silver, was 
placed in her hand. 

I see,’’ said Polly, ‘‘ you are dressed like a 
shepherdess, just the same, only your clothes are 
not common.” 

Boy Blue s costume was next transformed in 
the same manner into rich velvet, with frills of 
real lace. Jewelled buckles glistened at his 
knees and on his shoes, and a silver horn hung 
by a ribbon at his side. 

Then the Fairy Godmother hesitated before 
Polly. ‘‘What will you be?” she asked. 

Polly did n’t know what to say, she was so 
bewildered by these lightning changes. 

“ I know ! ” cried Bo-peep. “ Make her a 
Goddess of Liberty ; she ’s an American girl.” 

No sooner said than done ! The magic wand 
descended, and Polly was draped in the national 
colors of her native land, a golden crown upon 
262 


THE PRINCE’S BALL 


her head, and a sceptre of the same precious 
metal in her hand. Her fair, waving hair 
streamed over her shoulders, her blue eyes 
sparkled, and her rosy cheeks became rosier 
than ever. 

‘‘Hooray! isn’t she stunnin?” exclaimed 
Boy Blue. 

“You do look real sweet, Polly, dear,” said 
Bo-peep. 

“ I feel very well satisfied with you all,” de- 
clared their benefactor, approvingly. “ Now, 
we ’ll see about that carriage.” 

Presto ! A fiourish of the wand, and a coach, 
with prancing steeds and sleek coachman, drew 
up beside the delighted little folks. Before they 
had time to speak, or even to think, a dapper 
footman was opening the door of the carriage 
and helping them to their seats. Then the 
driver cracked his whip and whirled them 
away like lightning. 

“Dear me!” said Polly. “How sudden they 

263 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


do things in this country ! It ’most takes iny 
breath away.” 

‘‘Yes,” returned Boy Blue, with a satisfied 
air, “ we are pretty wide-awake over here.” 

Polly and Bo-peep looked at each other and 
giggled; they could n’t help it. ’T was so funny 
to hear Boy Blue talk about being “wide-awake.” 

“ Never mind,” said the shepherdess, seeing 
that the lad’s face was growing very red, 
“you ’ve done pretty well — for you — since Polly 
came.” 

“Yes, indeed, very well,” Polly hastened to 
say, and Boy Blue was consoled. 

“Would n’t it be queer if this carriage was 
made from a pumpkin ? ” said Polly, as they 
rolled easily over the smooth road. 

“ Would n’t it be queerer if it should turn 
back to a pumpkin ?” suggested Boy Blue. 

“You don’t s’pose it will?” questioned Polly, 
anxiously. 

“ Of course it won’t,” said Bo-peep. “ He ’s 
just teasing.” 


264 


THE PRINCE’S BALL 


After a lialf-liour s drive the little folks no- 
ticed that they were approaching a grand build- 
ing, brilliantly lighted from garret to cellar. 

‘‘ Here we are,’’ announced Boy Blue, as the 
carriage stojiped and the footman threw open 
the door. 

Polly began to feel timid. ‘‘How will we 
know where to go ? ” she whispered to her 
friends. 

“ Better look at our invitations,” said Boy 
Blue. 

Then the little folks found that the common- 
looking cards given them by the Fairy God- 
mother had changed to beautiful satin leaflets, 
engraved in gold. While they were admiring 
these, a lackey, gorgeously arrayed in scarlet 
velvet, stepped up to the coach, and, after as- 
sisting the little guests to alight, conducted them 
into the princely palace. 

“ My ! it ’most beats the Arabian Nights,” 
exclaimed Polly, as she and her friends followed 
their guide through an immense hall, paved 
265 


POLLY PERKINS* ADVENTURES 


with onyx and having walls of solid silver, into 
a golden ballroom, where were already gathered 
many guests. 

The new arrivals slipped in quietly, taking 
seats near the door, where they could see every- 
body without attracting too much attention. 

‘‘ There ’s the Prince,’^ whispered Bo-peep, 
pointing to a charming young man, clad in 
white velvet with gold trimmings. 

‘‘Is n’t he elegant?’’ said Polly, admiringly. 

All at once Polly noticed the Prince — and 
everybody else — looking toward the door; so 
she looked, too. And there was the loveliest 
young girl that ever was seen. Her cheeks were 
like rose-leaves, her eyes like stars, and her hair 
like floss silk. And then her dress ! It was 
pale pink, and sort of soft and flufiy, so that her 
lovely face seemed to be rising out of a fleecy 
cloud. 

Everyone in the room was wondering who 
tlie beautiful stranger might be; that is, every- 
body but our little friends. They knew; for, 
266 


THE PRINCE’S BALL 


of course, she was Cinderella ! And, of course, 
the Prince led her out onto the floor, and every- 
body was saying what a handsome couple they 
were. There were dances and dances, and Polly 
and Bo-peep were tripping round on the tips of 
their toes almost before they knew it; sometimes 
with Boy Blue as partner, sometimes dancing 
with dear little knights in velvet and satin ; for 
everybody danced with everybody without wait- 
ing to be introduced ; that is, everybody but the 
Prince and the lovely stranger. They just 
danced with each other all the time. 

Polly was sure she had never enjoyed herself 
so much in all her life, and Boy Blue declared 
he never had, either. I never had a chance 
to tell you,” he whispered to Polly; ‘‘but I 
wanted to dance with you at the Pixies’ Carni- 
val, only that horrid little dwarf would n’t 
let me.” 

“ Oh ! I don’t think he was so very horrid,” 
said Polly, “and, anyway, you can dance with 
me now all you like.” 


267 


POLLY PERKINS* ADVENTURES 


Pretty soon there was a supper of ice cream 
and angel cake, and then more dancing. It was 
growing late by this time, and Polly began to 
feel very anxious about Cinderella, and to hope 
that she would not forget to go home in time. 

‘‘ It would be just dreadful to have her turn 
into a kitchen girl before all these stuck-up 
ladies,” she said to Bo-peep. 

But, oh, dear ! that was just what did happen. 
Polly almost cried when at the last stroke of 
twelve a poor girl, clothed in rags, ran through 
the gaping throng out into the night. 

If she had only gone a minute sooner ! ” 
groaned Polly. 

“ Hush ! ” whispered Bo-peep ; she has left 
one of her slippers.” 

‘‘ Of course, she would,” replied Polly, if it 
happened right. But I had forgotten all about 
that. See, the Prince has picked it up ! ” 

‘‘Yes, and he ’s coming this way with it,” re- 
turned Bo-peep. “ I daresay I can get it on.” 

But she could n’t, though she tried with all 
268 


THE PRINCE’S BALL 


her might to crowd her pretty plump foot into 
the slipper of glass. 

“ Might 's well stop trying ; your foot is too 
large/’ remarked Boy Blue. 

“Indeed, it is not,” responded the shepherdess, 
tartly. “ The slipper is too small. Suppose you 
try it, Polly.” 

“ Oh, no !” replied the little girl, feeling very 
bashful with so many people looking at her. 

But there was the Prince on one knee be- 
fore her. Polly hesitated a moment, then held 
out a slender little foot. Wonder of wonders! 
The slipper fitted exactly. 

Then the Prince arose, and, bowing low be- 
fore the little Goddess of Liberty, offered her 
his arm. 

Polly felt more bashful than ever. “ I must 
ask my mother,” said she. 

“ Go along goosey,” said Bo-peep, giving her 
a push. 

“ Goosey, Goosey Gander, 

Where shall I wander ? ” 


271 


POLLY PERKINS’ ADVENTURES 


Polly heard a familiar voice singing these 
familiar words. She looked up at the Prince in 
surprise, and saw — Frances ! 

“Why! how did you come here?” cried 
Polly. 

“ I did n’t come ; I ’ve been here all the time,” 
laughed Frances. 

“ My, what a whopper I ” exclaimed Polly. 

“ Shaking did n’t do any good,” continued 
the elder sister, “so I tried singing in your 
ear and that waked you up.” 

Polly stared around, rubbing her eyes. 
“ Where ^s Bo-peep — and Boy Blue — and the 
Prince ? ” she asked, regretfully. 

“Whatever are you talking about?” returned 
Frances. 

Polly looked earnestly at her sister. “Fi-an- 
ces,” said she, “ I Ve been to Gooseland, and the 
Beanstalk Country, and the Land of Magic, 
and—” 

But Frances only laughed the louder. 
“ You Ve been dreaming,” declared she. 

272 


THE PRINCE’S BALL 


Polly felt real sorry for her sister. “You 
would n’t talk that way if you had been to those 
queer countries and talked with all those queer 
people,” she said, quite seriously. 

THE END 
*73 



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